Match Report by Theo Bowyer....

On a solemn day following the Death of Her Majesty The Queen, both teams gathered to take part in a match which will live long in the memory, to show respect for our departed sovereign.
In the 3 rd minute Kendal took the lead following a penalty line out and an excellent run from their winger. 7-0 (try conv). The following 10 minutes demonstrated Kendal would not be an easy task, unlike both games last season. Port were experiencing line out problems which proved a continuous theme all match and prevented them from asserting some control at set pieces.
Following a half successful driving maul, scrum half Rory Austin’s awareness spotted a gap to score under the posts. 7-7 (conv. Ben Deering). Port started to gain the ascendancy and a poor kick from Kendal led to a successful line out, combined with an infringement by Kendal and a penalty kick from Ben Deering. 7-10.
Port’s dominance was interrupted when prop Paul McGookin was carded for deliberate obstruction. Kendal attacked in earnest but an excellent turnover by the ever present Si Green, eased the pressure. Port were then left ruing a great opportunity to score with 14 men as a poor pass out wide to winger Rory Atwill, meant the chance was squandered.
Now back to a full compliment Port extended their lead with an opportunistic line out from winger Rory Atwill, a good cross field run, resulting in full back Calum Owen executing an excellent grubber kick down the touchline, for winger Jack Martin to win the chase. (conv. missed). It was now half time and Port were well worth their 7-15 lead.
Setareki Talatoka - the impact player - came on for Ben Deering, on the restart and Port continued their front foot rugby. Kendal were now down to 14 and Port took advantage as Si Green collected well to score. 7-22 (conv. Ewan Holt). Against the run of play, Kendal hit back - potentially the try of the match with no. 8 Steve Nelson scoring in the corner. 12-22 (conv. missed). A few minutes into the final quarter, full back Calum Owen scored a well deserved try out wide having gone close earlier. 12-27 (conv. missed).
Port were seemingly now in full control and Alex Gibson came on for Keiran Hibbs and Harley Aston for Rory Austin - who was on his way to A & E with a badly broken finger. Kendal sensed with 7 minutes to go that they may get something out of the game and were
rewarded for their persistence, following a disjointed line out with the no. 8 scoring his second try. 19-27 (conv. scored).
The door was slightly more ajar after Alex Gibson was carded and further compounded as a Kendal driving maul resulted in a penalty try and another yellow. This was squeaky bum time for sure and Port’s 29 game winning streak looked under serious threat. Frustratingly Kendal had infringed over a 5 minute period on their own line without serious action from the referee. Down to 13 men and with 5 minutes left, Port took the game deep into the Kendal half, only to needlessly concede possession. Fortunately Kendal failed to take
advantage and with much relief Port had pulled through 26-27.
Kirby Lonsdale come to our patch next and there’s work to do with a few injury concerns and some things to tighten up in training. However the Port winning machine marches on!