Kendal 64 Liverpool St Helens 5 LSH were somewhat unfortunate to meet a well-organised and disciplined Kendal team that played at the top level of their ability.

The visitors are currently suffering an injury crisis and with a small squad they were forced to move stand-off Worsley to scrum-half, and centre Londen to stand-off. Both played well in their unaccustomed positions but it was asking a lot for the team to reorganise after such fundamental changes.

Kendal currently include four New Zealand players in their team, one of whom was playing Super 12 Rugby only two seasons ago, and their experience was evident throughout the game.

The home side were adept at retaining and re-cycling possession for long periods, and it is a telling statistic that LSH only threw into three line-outs during the second half, indicating the amount of possession which Kendal enjoyed. With such overall control Kendal were able to exert pressure almost continually, and although the visitors defended heroically points flowed at regular intervals throughout the game.

Late in the second half LSH raised their game and gained a consolation try from Jackson but this was quickly followed by two converted tries from Kendal to finalise the scoreline.

Debutants Topping and M Jones showed well despite the trying circumstances and LSH must now re-group and raise themselves for the visit of Sedgeley Park on Saturday.

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