Because of their geographical locations Hull and Kendal never met until season 2006-07, our second season in Division North One and with Kendal newly relegated from the old National Three North. That season Kendal won their game, winning 32-18 at Mint Bridge but Hull got ample revenge when they won the Haworth Park encounter by 55-8.
In the 2007-08 season, which was Kendal’s promotion season, they did the double over Hull winning 27-17 at Mint Bridge and by 25-17 at Haworth Park. Consequently there were no games played between the two clubs in 2008-09. This was our first season at our new Ferens Ground and also our promotion season into the newly formed National Two North as runners-up to Westoe.
Season 2009-10 saw honours even as Kendal won 28-8 at the Ferens Ground but Hull won the return fixture by 25-7. This victory was the first of six consecutive wins for Hull over the Cumbrians up to this week’s game.
The following 2010-11 season saw Hull win twice with both games being very tight affairs with scores of 29-22 at Mint Bridge and 22-17 at the Ferens Ground. The sequence continued in 2011-12 and again both matches were close-run affairs with a 12-6 win away and 28-19 at home.
Our paths did not meet again until the present season when Kendal were promoted after becoming champions of North West One winning 24 of their games to pip Kirkby Lonsdale by just two points. The match at Mint Bridge on September 3rd was yet another cliff-hanger and saw Hull sneak home by 20-15 at Mint Bridge. This season Kendal have had a season of consolidation winning thirteen and losing twelve of their games and are safely in mid-table in seventh position. They come to the Ferens on a three match losing run having lost 29-18 to Doncaster Phoenix away, 17-3 to Ilkley away and 22-20 to Billingham at home.
So the whole sequence of fixtures over the years show that Hull have won seven and Kendal four.
Norman Angell
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 