The league fixture was played at Dronfield, between Sheffield and Chesterfield, after the venue was switched from Kendal’s Mint Bridge ground.

Kendal won 33-25, with tries from Angus Knight, Joe Anderson and Ben Dixon, while Aaron Stephens contributed two conversions and three penalties in a closely contested match.

The fixture was originally scheduled for Mint Bridge, but the decision was taken to move it because of the logistical difficulties involved in clearing the car park after the previous evening’s community fireworks display.

Dronfield will now visit Mint Bridge after Christmas.

The hosts began the day at the foot of the table, although the standings remained tightly packed, with only four points separating them from eighth-placed Blackburn and six from sixth-placed Kendal.

They had also faced a demanding opening to the campaign, with defeats against unbeaten Macclesfield, Stockport, Anselmians and Wirral, as well as Blackburn.

Despite losing heavily at Anselmians the previous weekend, Dronfield had been only three points behind at half-time and had briefly taken the lead early in the second half.

Kendal made two changes following last weekend’s win at Bowdon.

Dane Blenkharn was involved with the Second XV at Mint Bridge, while Alistair Thompson was unavailable.

Matt Houghton returned in the back row, with Toby Merrick moving into the second row and Liam Barr taking his place on the bench after playing for the Second XV the previous weekend.

Dronfield opened the scoring when missed tackles allowed them to cross for an early try, making it 5-0.

Kendal reduced the deficit after 15 minutes when Stephens kicked a penalty to make it 5-3.

The visitors then moved ahead after Ben Dixon competed strongly for possession and forced a penalty.

Ollie Rose found touch, and Oscar Coxon secured the lineout before the Kendal pack drove forward.

Knight was left with the straightforward task of grounding the ball, giving Kendal an 8-5 lead.

The visitors continued to pressure Dronfield into conceding penalties.

With the referee playing advantage, Stephens sent a long pass to Zane Butler, who was stopped close to the line.

His attempted pass to Patrick Wolstenholme was intercepted, but play was brought back for the original penalty.

Kendal again kicked to touch and attempted to drive from the lineout, only for the hosts to pull the maul down.

The ball was recycled, allowing Anderson to force his way over the line, with Stephens converting for a 15-5 advantage.

Dronfield, however, showed their ability to retain possession when they had the ball, working through several phases without making mistakes.

A missed tackle in midfield left Stephens facing a three-on-one situation, and after he was committed to the challenge, the hosts moved the ball wide to score.

The conversion was missed, reducing Kendal’s lead to 15-10.

Further quick recycling produced a third Dronfield try, bringing the scores level at 15-15.

Kendal recovered some control before half-time, keeping the ball through multiple phases.

When that attack failed to produce a score, the referee awarded a penalty and Stephens restored the visitors’ lead with a kick, leaving Kendal 18-15 ahead at the interval.

Anderson was replaced by Finn Kennedy after taking a knock, while the scrum remained competitive.

Greg Jones came on for Merrick at the start of the second half.

Dronfield regained the lead after ten minutes when two penalties allowed them to attack from a lineout and complete a converted score, making it 22-18.

Kendal responded quickly.

Dixon broke through and, after being stopped, the ball was recycled and moved left, where Knight found space to score his second try.

That put Kendal 23-22 ahead.

Sullivan then forced another penalty by contesting possession, and Stephens extended the lead to 26-22.

Dronfield enjoyed a long spell of pressure, but Kendal’s defence held firm.

A penalty reduced the margin to one point before the decisive moment arrived with less than 15 minutes remaining.

Stephens spotted space down the left and kicked ahead, with the ball rolling back infield and over the try-line.

Dixon chased and reached it first, and the referee awarded the try despite some uncertainty.

Stephens added an excellent conversion from the touchline to make it 33-25.

Kendal defended strongly thereafter and kept Dronfield away from the line.

Shorrock, Barr and Zack Dodds were introduced, while Anderson returned to the field.

The hosts had one final opportunity to claim a bonus point, but a pass went into touch and the referee brought the game to an end.

The result gave Kendal two important away wins in a week.

They now face a break next weekend before travelling to Anselmians and Rossendale later this month.

The match also marked Butler’s 100th appearance and Rose’s 50th, while Dixon’s try was the 60th of his career, taking his points total to 300.