Kendal 15 Sandal 14

On a heavy muddy pitch in overcast rainy conditions Sandal just failed to overcome a committed home side who were worth their win. Too often during the match the Milnthorpe Green side ran foul of the Midlands exchange referee and were ultimately made to pay for their indiscipline. They started fairly well though and after having the better of territory they moved the ball from the point of contact with space being created for centre and captain for the day Simon Frewin to cross for the opening score with fly half James Ellar kicking the extras. Kendal then had pressure on their visitor's line but strong pack work enabled Sandal to clear their lines from turnover ball. The Mint Bridge side, though, registered their first points with a penalty from full back Chris Park on the stroke of half time to leave the score at seven points to three at the break.
With conditions underfoot making open rugby difficult it was little surprise that the next score was from close range as the home pack drove the Sandal pack back from a five metre lineout with prop Glenn Chesher getting the try to put his side one point in the lead. Shortly after Sandal attempted to run from deep but an offload was intercepted with lock Ross McKay being the beneficiary as he dotted down and with Park converting the home side crucially led by more than one score at fifteen points to seven with just over ten minutes remaining. Sandal responded well and after pressure on the home line they were awarded a penalty try for illegally stopping the drive with Ellar converting to narrow the gap to one point. Try as they might Sandal were not able to get the crucial final score and they returned home with a losing bonus point which was probably a fair reflection on the afternoon's proceedings.