Cup Defeat For First XV

Last Wednesday evening, 24th, Keswick travelled to Carlisle, who are one league higher, for the County Cup quarter final match. In cold and damp conditions Keswick kicked off with the wind behind them, quickly winning a penalty which Muir converted for a 0-3 lead. Carlisle came back hard and in the first scrum, to Keswick, made their intentions clear by driving the Keswick pack off the ball to win against the head. Using their fast backs in combination with driving forward at the breakdown they were able to recycle after a line-out win to cross for an unconverted try after 9 minutes, 5-3. Despite the much stronger Carlisle scrum, Keswick were able to win against the head soon after to clear from their own line. Indiscipline by Carlisle, mostly for offside, allowed Keswick another penalty by Muir to retake the lead after 29 minutes, 5-6.

For most of the first half Keswick were in contention apart from in the set scrums and it was from a scrum on the Keswick 5 metres that Carlisle were awarded a penalty try for an infringement as the scrum broke up on the line. At half time the score was 12-6 but in the second half it was to be the scrums that were to be Keswick’s undoing. Pushed back at almost every scrum, they lost possession even on their own put in. On the few occasions that they did win the ball the scrum wheeled and the referee whistled before they could play the ball.

The second half began with a quick try on the left to Carlisle, who retained possession and recycled the ball from a line-out, to take the score to 17-6 after only 3 minutes. A sustained period of pressure by Carlisle then saw them score another try on the left soon after to go further ahead, 22-6. Disruption of the Keswick scrum continued though they were able to win their own line-out ball and their backs proved equal to Carlisle’s in attack, whilst also defending well. Keswick’s scrum problems allowed Carlisle to run the ball through the forwards from the 22 to score again after 13 minutes for a 27-6 lead, followed by another try in the left hand corner 10 minutes later to give Carlisle an unassailable 32-6 lead.

More penalties against Carlisle, mostly for offside, saw Keswick into the opposition 22 where Moss crossed the line to touch down only to have the try disallowed as not having been grounded. After a fourth consecutive offside penalty close to their line Carlisle had a player yellow carded after 24 minutes. More good driving play by the forwards saw Holme cross the line on the left but he was unable to touch down and play was taken back for a penalty. Taken quickly the ball was passed to Thompson who scored a captain’s try on the left which Muir was unable to convert as the wind blew the ball back. 32-11 after 28 minutes. Stung by the try Carlisle came back hard but were unable to turn their pressure into points and the game was ended with a line-out steal and kick to touch by Keswick. Despite Carlisle failing to convert 5 tries, for much of the game the contest was closer than the final score suggests. Although under pressure, Keswick always felt they were in with a chance and could have been within one score had a try been awarded on the 2 occasions they crossed the Carlisle line. A not unexpected outcome, but a chance to play against opposition from a higher league in a winner-takes-all match gave Keswick a good test of their abilities.