Kendal’s tactics were based on their driving forward play with stand-off, Mike Scott’s kicks gaining them good positions. Harrogate tackled tenaciously throughout the game and gained crucial turnover balls to release their dangerous backs.

The first drama occurred before the kick-off when Harrogate player-coach, Mike Aspinall declared himself unfit to start. Eighteen years old Joe Rowntree changed places with him on the bench and acquitted himself well.

The game started with waves of Harrogate attacks. Prop, Jimmy Browne excelled in the loose and the tight and the Harrogate backs profited from this solid platform. Half backs, Phil Wickham and Dickie Davies delivered constant good ball and winger, Chris Harris scored the first try in support of a half break by Ed Smithies.

Kendal’s Mark Ireland (2) and Harrogate’s Rowntree then exchanged penalty goals before Steve Parsons made a powerful midfield break and passed to Smithies who scored under the posts to give Rowntree a straightforward conversion.

This was followed by Harrogate’s best try of the season. Ben Sowerey made a great turnover in defence and the ball was quickly spun out to Davies. His cross kick found Rowntree who made ground before releasing Smithies whose cleverly angled run split the visitors’ defence. Jamie Broadley backed up to score a converted try.

In the final move of the half, a Kendal driving maul resulted in a converted try for flanker, Gary Hodgson, to make it 22-13 at the break.

The first 20 minutes of the second half were scoreless as both teams strove to gain ascendency. A Rowntree penalty extended Harrogate’s lead and they continued to mount attacks in search of a bonus point winning fourth try. Aspinall, who had replaced the injured Broadley, added another three points with a well taken drop goal and this proved to be Harrogate’s final score of the match.

Kendal refused to give up and forward pressure created space for winger, Matt Gracie to score. Harrogate went offside as the game moved into injury time and another Ireland penalty gave Kendal a well deserved losing bonus point.

Harrogate: Smithies, Rowntree, Parsons, Broadley (Aspinall 56), Harris, R Davies, Wickham, Browne (Metcalfe 75), Yorke (Hannan 56), S Davies (Peacey 60), Lewis, Brady (Johnson 75), Sowerey, Harland, Heaton.

Kendal: Ireland, Gracie, Voortman, Aloe, Ladell, Scott, Gough, McDowell, Green, Harryman, Hayton, Gore, Hodgson, Holmes, Wilson

Referee: Matt Daubney (RFU)