Kendal 35     Fylde Wanderers 32

Tries: Ward, M. Edwards, Evans, Gargett, A. Edwards

In a pulsating encounter, Fylde Wanderers lost out narrowly to an excellent, spirited second half Kendal fight back on a fine but very windy evening away in Cumbria.

Fylde played with the strong wind at their backs in the first half and they made this advantage tell almost immediately with some probing runs into the Kendal half. Good interplay and fine lines of running saw Jack Ward sent through a huge midfield gap and he jinked inside the last man to score with ease. Embleton added the extras.

This lead was doubled within 5 minutes as a break down the left by Mark Edwards released Ward once again and he drew the last man to allow Edwards to run in from 20 metres for a 14-0 lead. Sadly, for Fylde John Embleton had to leave the field with a back injury so Mark Evans moved to 15 with Fylde Saracens’ winger Alex Edwards getting a deserved run on the 2nd XV wing.

This early Fylde dominance was cast aside for a 10 minute period as the Kendal forwards began to gain an advantage in the loose. Fierce rucking and some dynamic runs saw them batter the Fylde try line and although Fylde repelled the first few attacks the home side eventually darted over for a good forwards try. 14-7 to Fylde.

Mark Edwards added a penalty to extend Fylde’s lead to 17-7 and then the game entered a curious stage where both teams ran the ball from literally anywhere on the field. The play was entertaining but very loose and this cavalier approach led to Fylde’s next try. A poor kick from Kendal straight down the middle of the pitch was fielded by Mark Evans just inside the halfway line. Kendal chased poorly and Evans beat the first man, threw a dummy to cut inside two players and he was away with just the 15 to beat. He just rounded the last man to scramble over for the score in the corner.

Fylde proceeded to dominate possession for the remaining minutes of the half. Will Stover, Nick Campbell and Ted Scott were working tirelessly and a superb turnover in midfield resulted in the ball being sent right and Matt Gargett displayed fantastic speed to race for 70 metres untouched for another five pointer. At half time Fylde led 27-7. Steve Hodge, who had also stepped up from the Saracens, was having a fine and very productive match. As was Matt O’Connor, Joe Birtwistle and another Saracen, Steve Brownlow.

However, with the howling wind very much at their backs, Kendal would most definitely fancy their chances in the second half. They could not have got off to a better start as within 10 minutes of the restart they had scored twice and converted both. 27-21 still to Fylde but Kendal was dominating territory and possession. They would have taken the lead had it not been for some outstanding and brave corner flag tackles by Jack Ward, Will Stover and Matt O’Connor.

Sadly, midway through the half Kendal broke through once again. They created an overlap on the right to score in the corner and then a quite superb touchline conversion gave them the lead for the very first time at 28-27.

Fylde fought back but the offloads which worked so well in the first half were no longer finding a Claret and Gold hand and Kendal seemed to be pouncing on everything. With 6 minutes to go Kendal scored their fifth and last try to extend their advantage to 35-27 but Fylde suddenly came to life and good breaks and a flurry of phases finished with Alex Edwards diving over in the left hand corner to give Fylde some hope as they trailed 35-32.

The away side had the chance to attempt a few last ditch attacks but Kendal held firm and probably just deserved the win in a 10 try extravaganza. Fylde were impressive and played their part and must be encouraged by the number of younger players in their ranks who keep getting better and better with every match. A watching Mark Nelson must have been pleased with aspects of the Wanderers performance.

JR Hartley