IN appalling weather conditions at Wagon Lane, Hugh Gumbs’ Bradford & Bingley side ran in three tries to claim a deserved 17-12 victory over Kendal to lift themselves up to seventh in the North One East table.

Although B&B scored all the tries in the game, Kendal could have snatched an unlikely victory in the closing stages, after the number of penalties the Bees conceded kept the Cumbrian side in contention.

Kendal’s Mark Carruthers made that final break and as he charged into the Bees’ 22, he attempted a chip over the final defender, but his kick went awry and landed in touch, much to the relief of the home supporters in the crowd.

The Wagon Laners have perhaps been overusing the middle of the field in recent weeks, but this tactic was perfect given the conditions, with Heimuli Taufa, Tom Cummins and Kati Tuipolotu enjoying the chance to barge into the Kendal defence.

Taufa opened the Bees’ account in the sixth minute, dancing through some poor defence for a close range score, and when Tom Cummins dotted down off the back of a scrum after 26 minutes, it looked like B&B’s upper hand in the pack would be enough to see them home.

Lance Taylor improved Cummins’ score to push the home side into a 12-6 lead, with Kendal’s Glen Weightman slotting a brace of penalties to keep the Bees honest.

The Wagon Laners should have added another try following some quick bursts, but two players fumbled, and Kendal were able to go in at half-time just 12-9 down, with another Weightman penalty bringing the Cumbrians to within three.

As the clock hit the hour mark, another Weightman three pointer sailed between the uprights off the post to bring the sides level, before Taylor was forced into a try-saving tackle.

The winning score was an odd one. Taylor kicked for touch, but Nick Carlton leapt to keep the ball in play for the visitors.

As the ball bobbled over the Kendal line, none of their players reacted and Bees winger Cameron Bainbridge simply jogged up and touched the ball down.

That score seemed to lift the Bees for the final ten minutes but, despite going close, they could not finish the game off with that fourth score. It nearly proved costly.