RUDYARD Kipling’s words - If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs... - was advice Kendal needed to heed as an emotive fightback to snatch victory from Luctonians failed.

The sheer adrenaline-fuelled wave of attacks in the last ten minutes required control and composure and they they were elusive qualities when it counted.

Even if Kendal could not squeeze past the winning post, it was heartening to see a believable collective spirit emerge against fifth-placed Luctonians, who at times looked a cut with their well-constructed, fluid rugby.

Struggling to compete in the first half, the Black and Ambers found themselves staring at a 20-0 deficit after half an hour.

So for Kendal to close the gap to almost snatching a match-winning try was no mean effort.

A John Morris penalty almost straight from the kick-off for the Herefordshire outfit was supplemented in the 12th minute right winger Simon Frewin with a try in the corner after a catch-and-drive was moved wide.

Eight minutes, later Luctonians were over the whitewash again after another penalty lineout drill, this time full back Charlie Meredith finishing off the score, another conversion following.

Kendal were starved of decent ball and the frustration showed as another Morris penalty extended the gap to 20 point after 30 minutes.

Kendal's first points came two minutes later. When Will Vokes was pulled back at the scrum, Ireland slotted the kick and then added another for offside as a heartening spell of pressure was rewarded.

Up and running , the home team offered the faithful who had spurned their TV sets hope of a revival a minute from half time with an excellent try.

Putting together several phases from the restart after the penalty, Kendal combined well and Liam Hayton and Duncan Green made hard yards before the backs were involved.

Sidestepping Simon Mulholland opened up the defence and found John Ladell cutting inside to collect and scorch over from the 22.

Unconverted, Kendal had at least cut the deficit to 20-11 at the break.

And Kendal worked hard to keep the initiative in the second half and flanker Dan White was held up over the line as they found some momentum.

But a lot of ball was given up cheaply in contact and at the breakdown while fly-half Mark Ireland unusually missed a couple of penalties earned by good territorial pressure.

Kendal's lack of composure was to cost them, and although Mulholland twice broke through the defence the frantic final pass failed to find its target.

A different option wasrewarded in the 77th minute when Ireland's chip behind the defence to the wing bounced up into replacement Chris Park's hands and he made a gutsy dash over to touch down despite being wrapped up in the tackle.

The conversion attempt fell just in front of the posts, but at 20-16 down it set up a compelling finale.

Right on full time, Kendal at last breathed fire and brimstone with Mulholland, Robinson and Ladell penetrating before skipper Gareth Gore almost charged over.

A flying arm appeared to take out Dan White as he was about to fling himself over the tryline on the right touchline, and Kendal chose to kick the penalty to the corner.

Liam Hayton secured the lineout ball, and appeared to be illegally brought down by the visitors.

When the referee failed to blow for an infringement, the frustrated second row lashed out and the referee produced a straight red card, ending a storming finish that left Kendal with a consolation bonus-point.

A flying arm appeared to take out Dan White as he was about to fling himself over the tryline on the right touchline, and Kendal chose to kick the penalty to the corner.

Liam Hayton secured the lineout ball, and appeared to be illegally brought down by the visitors.

When the referee failed to blow for an infringement, the frustrated second row lashed out and the referee produced a straight red card, ending a storming finish that left Kendal with a consolation bonus-point.