THREE weeks away at the World Cup have obviously done Darlington flanker Del Lewis no harm.

He had to settle for watching the final on television then produced a lively display, culminating with the late try which gave the scoreline an accurate look.

Darlington are beginning to look comfortable in National Three North and after three home wins will now focus on achieving their first away from home when they visit bottom club Longton on Saturday.

Kendal went into this match in sixth place, but were outplayed for all but a ten-minute spell in the first half when they turned a 3-0 deficit into a 10-3 lead.

Darlington's tackling looked flimsy at that point, but they tightened up and created enough chances to have won even more convincingly.

Although Dave Haswell has slotted in very well at fly half in the absence of skipper Paul Lee, a few wrong options were taken at half back - mainly turning the ball back inside when Darlington looked dangerous out wide.

Wingers Mark Butler and Frankie Coulson both put in several threatening runs, while Graham Haswell and Tosh McIntee complement each other well at centre, with the latter's power and balanced running troubling defences every week.

The forwards were an impressive unit. Fears that they would not be able to reproduce their driving mauls at the higher level have proved unfounded. They all but drove over in the third minute and often had what was reputed to be a big, strong pack in retreat.

Lewis was somehow held up on the line after the first line-out drive, and was again just short after a five-metre scrum was wheeled.

As Butler had also gone close Darlington needed some points to show for their superiority and Butler slotted a simple penalty after 12 minutes.

But visiting fly half Dan Stephens quickly replied after the No 8 broke through a line-out, then prop Bill Coxon broke from a ruck on the 22 and slipped the ball to scrum half Mark Airey, who sped under the posts.

Stephens converted and Darlington were looking rocky, but they tightened up and Kendal rarely looked like scoring again.

After 29 minutes No 8 Tom Wilkinson picked up at a scrum near the posts and full back Craig Lee came into the line to send Butler over. From wide on the right the winger converted via the right upright.

Ten minutes of pressure failed to bring reward and when Darlington lost the ball at a maul five metres from the line it looked as though they would have to settle for 10-10 at half-time.

But the clearance kick was fielded by Butler, then flanker Martin Howe set up the ruck and when the ball was moved out to McIntee he rounded his marker and raced over from 25 metres.

Butler converted but pulled a penalty early in the second half, then a brilliant run by Howe ended with replacement lock Matt Dilworth being held up on the line.

But after 15 minutes Kendal were penalised just about on the limit of Butler's range and obligingly took him ten metres closer by disputing the decision.

Butler kicked the penalty then 20 minutes of frustration followed before Darlington attacked up the narrow side from a ruck and Lewis stepped inside to race 25 metres to the posts, Butler again converting.