Win was no walkover

BLAYDON KENDAL 31 15

THE visitors proved to be a bigger stumbling block than their league position might have suggested, third top versus third bottom, and it took Blaydon deep into the second period to assert some authority.

Blaydon were caught napping when Kendal easily penetrated the home defence to send in fly-half Nathan McCloy, who also added the conversion.

On 20 minutes the home side hit back with a tap penalty that took them over the try line but unable to ground the ball and from a line-out prop forward Anthony Harvey squeezed over. Chettleburgh was yellow carded for his part in that action and Blaydon were soon in front when a long pass out gave Jack Appleton a simple score.

Kendal then lost a second player and, from some constant pressure from Blaydon, skipper Keith Laughlin dived in to secure a try.

Blaydon then broke quickly and Guy Graham strolled in for the bonus point try.

There followed a battering of the Kendal line with seemingly everyone having a go until Laughlin was sent in under the posts.

The visitors were still going forward in the closing minutes and were rewarded when replacement Jack Lashley scored in the corner.