Penrith took a strong squad to league leaders Kirkby Lonsdale and hoped to run them a bit closer than they did in the home game earlier in the season when they were a distant second. Ground conditions were not in their favour and the playing surface was very soft despite there had been several days without rain. It did however, turn out to be an entertaining game with both sides making light of the conditions.
Penrith started brightly enough, a Kris Bratton outside break almost created a try in the corner for young winger Steven Cherry. They also won a penalty head on to the posts and ran it rather than taking the three points on offer but as the half wore on it was the home side that got the better of things. Importantly they made fewer mistakes than the visitors, kept possession of the ball for longer periods and when asked to defend were well organised and difficult to break down.
Penrith were penalised defending a lineout on their own line and Kirkby tapped the penalty quickly and the scrum half wriggled over from close range for a converted try. At 10-0 down Penrith looked to have weathered the storm but were again under pressure on the stroke of half time, desperate defending on his own line saw Tama Toomata yellow carded and the home side opted for the scrum from the penalty with a one man advantage. The Penrith scrummage held up even being a man short but two sharp forward drives by the home side off the back of the scrum created the space for the second try.
Penrith were rocked further just after half time and were 20 points in arrears when Kirkby scored a third try when again the visitors were penalised on their own line. At this point there was little between the two side but Kirkby had made the most of their chances, then the game began to swing Penrith's way and the introduction off the bench of stalwart Paul Newton to scrum half would galvanize their efforts.
It was a little chip and chase in midfield from Matt Allinson that got Penrith back in the game, he chased down his deft kick on half way, regained possession and the ball was moved sharply by Mike Fearon to Kris Bratton in space and even in the sticky conditions he was able to accelerate away and outpace the cover to score under the posts.
Penrith were now building up a head of steam but mistakes were costly and they gifted Kirkby field position and their stand off David Barton, who spent a season at Penrith, dropped a goal to extend their lead by three points. He earned the derision of some of his own supporters who wanted to see their side going for a fourth bonus point try in their title battle with Kendal but before the afternoon was out they would be thankful to him for his drop goal and more than thankful for the win.
Penrith fought back and Jamie McNaughton made a break into the 22 and went close in the right hand corner, the ball was switched quickly across the field and the battling Scott Lancaster was bundled into touch in the left hand corner. Penrith's second try was to come from a rare mistake from the home side, they spilt the ball in midfield and it came quickly to the Penrith backline who got it wide as rapidly as they could to McNaughton who was in a bit of space. It was far from a run in and he still had a lot to do but he is deceptively strong and at pace, held off a couple of tacklers, then outpace the cover to score in the corner. A well struck conversion by Allinson off the touchline went over and Penrith were within nine points.
They had Kirkby on the ropes and with three minutes to go they were penalised head on to the posts some 30m out when Toomata won turnover ball, it was in the muddiest part of the pitch but Allinson hit it sweetly and his side were within a score.
Kirkby Lonsdale had one or two scares but managed to see out the game doing their best to play up the jumper rugby. Penrith could congratulate themselves on a battling performance but again it was so near and yet so far.