Before the game, director of rugby Andy Howells revealed that no less than 10 players were on the casualty list.

He declared: "We are having a horrendous time. I have not known anything like it in my experience."

But when referee Trevor Fisher's whistle sounded at full time, his smile was broad and his praise generous. While they are not yet the finished job, he said, they are getting there.

Certainly it would be wrong, indeed unfair, to describe this as a makeshift side as it comprised full squad members pretty well in their favoured positions.

Rather, it showed how wisely Howells and his fellow coaches have recruited in preparation for a more taxing life in National 2 North, and how competition for places is likely to hot up.

With forwards combining with the backs in fleet and sure-handed forays down the bank at Wood Terrace, the Kendal defence was pierced three times in the first quarter, after which the score stood at 23-0, which, as things turned out, was a sufficient cushion to withstand the Cumbrians' spirited second-half fightback.

Dunes Adventure Island-sponsored Westoe struck in just the third minute when a clearance attempt was charged down on the visitors' 22, and an ensuing ruck set away fly-half Charlie Rayner who darted over beside the posts to give himself a routine conversion.

Soon after, scrum-half Peter Phelan's 40m spurt turned defence into attack, carried on by strongly-built but nimble prop and captain Gareth Nesbit – who likes it to be known that as a youngster he was a threequarter – and then lock Ian Robinson whose off-load found centre James Clark, who was too fast to catch.

Rayner then kicked two penalties and when centre Dan Rayson sliced through in the 33rd minute after a multi-phased rampage back and forth along the backs, a bonus point for four tries was in the bag and it looked as though victory was too. But the visitors had other ideas.

Though Nesbit dived over near the left flag 10 minutes into the second half, soon after full-back Mark Ireland had opened his team's account with a penalty, it was Kendal who were now showing greater purpose and menace.

A hitherto resolute Westoe defence yielded to the pressure twice within three minutes mid-way through the half, first centre Nick McKain and then prop Andrew Quarry touching down for Ireland's boot to make it seven points each time.

Supporters could hardly be blamed if they were by now troubled by a spectre of the lame manner that a late single-point victory had been virtually handed to Preston Grasshoppers in the previous home game.

But, realistically, it was too high a mountain for the men from the Lake District to climb, and the Shieldsmen's defence again closed ranks to allay such fears.

Howells said afterwards: "There were glimpses of what we can do, and I am more than pleased with the result. We need to be a little more street-wise, but that will come.

"I feel that the squad is starting to gel, and once we have our full complement of players restored, I think we will do well in this league."

* The Seconds were beaten 28-17 in their Candy League game at Horden, the home team's superiority in the forwards stifling the Shieldsmen' dangerous backs.

For Westoe, tries were scored by Ryan Beattie and Paul Alexander, both converted by Grant Parkin who also kicked a penalty.

* The Fourths beat hosts Durham City 19-17 with a try scored and converted by Colt Chris Baines in the last play of their Durham Junior League game.

With just 10 minutes remaining, the Westoe men were trailing 17-7 – hooker Mark Morris having scored a try converted by captain Glyn Jenkins – when the victory surge began.

First, prop Stuart Farrar burst over and then came Baines's touchdown with his coolly-taken kick reaping full points.

* The Thirds and Colts both had their league games at Oakleigh Gardens called off when their opponents, respectively Blay-don and Ashington, were unable to raise sides.