Cup Holders Challenged

On still, cold ,clear day Penrith started well pressuring the Keswick line and scoring after a concerted forward drive saw them go over wide out, conversion missed 5 0 to Penrith.

Keswick hit back immediately forcing a Penrith misdemeanour and Kieran Mewse striking a penalty from 30 metres 5 3 to Penrith.

Keswick then started to pressure Penrith with some good tactical kicking by Mewse Penrith yielded another penalty for Mewse to convert and Keswick took the lead 6 5.

Penrith hit straight back with a penalty from long range that sneaked over the crossbar 8 6 to Penrith.
On a roll Penrith pinned Keswick in their 22 and only resolute defence by Keswick thwarted the Penrith attack and the Penrith penalty count allowed Keswick relief.
After a brief Keswick foray into the opposition half Penrith hit back with a forward surge , well held by the Keswick pack but a cross kick collected by the Penrith winger looked well tackled over the line , held up by Ryan Weir. With the referee unsighted and not giving the try the assistant referee decreed the point of the ball had touched down, with the extra points added 15 6 to Penrith with half time looming.

The second half continued with Penrith in ascendency, playing their home 4G pitch well , kept Keswick under pressure and were rewarded with a further short range try, unconverted to stretch their lead to 20 6.
An intelligent Penrith penalty shortly afterwards stretched Penrith beyond 2 Keswick scores 23 6 , Penrith were potentially home & dry and with Keswick losing the impressive debutant scrum half Joe Allday shortly afterwards it looked bleak for Keswick.

But back with vengeance Keswick came , taking a grip of the game and pressing strongly. A massive forward effort saw Mike Tait crash over for a well taken try Keswick were buoyed at 23 11 down.

Immediately Keswick hit back with a great break by Danny Price, the ball was spun wide to Weir who put Dan Craghill in to score in the corner. Mewse converted to take the tie to 23 18 in Penrith's favour.

With Glen Weightman calling the shots and impressive youngster Sam Holt carrying well Keswick pressured Penrith in the closing minutes looking to snatch a late victory.

Unfortunately despite a herculean Keswick effort Penrith kept them out and with Keswick throwing caution to the wind Penrith scored from the last play of the game allowing them to proceed to defend their title in the semi finals.