After 2 weeks without a game, courtesy of a mid-season break and a waterlogged pitch - at Bolton - Keswick first XV took to the field for a home game against Trafford MV, from Greater Manchester, on Saturday. Having missed a game Keswick were in second place in the league and Trafford, having won their last 6 games, were fourth.

On a wet pitch and with little wind, Trafford kicked off and soon showed the quality of their game, keeping Keswick pinned in their own half in the early play. Ball handling proved to be difficult as was demonstrated by early fumbles and occasional penalties, mostly for off-side. The Keswick scrum proved stronger in the first half, driving Trafford back and winning penalties which were mainly kicked to touch for field position. Unfortunately for both teams their line-outs took time to settle and possession was often lost.

Some early attacking runs by Keswick were kept out by good opposition defence and their own good defence prompted an unsuccessful drop goal attempt by Trafford early on. This was followed by a further unsuccessful kick at goal by Trafford, this time from a penalty, which Keswick inexplicably attempted to run back from within the 22, putting unnecessary pressure on themselves. Good line kicks continued to give Keswick field position with the opportunity of disrupting the opposition line-out which they did successfully on occasion.

Both sides gave up possession too easily and through most of the first half the game ebbed and flowed between the 22 metre lines, often through kicks. There was an occasional foray by both teams to put the opposition defence under pressure but, as would be expected from 2 top teams, both defences proved to be sound. Good driving play by the Keswick pack at mauls was followed by spreading the ball wide, though the backs were unable to break through the final tackles. One penalty kick for goal by Keswick was unsuccessful and it seemed that the half would end scoreless although nearly all the pressure was coming from Keswick.

Eventually indiscipline by Trafford at a penalty cost them a further 10 metres and a kick to the left hand corner allowed Keswick to run the ball right from the line-out and a missed pass let Weir overcome his opponent to score in the corner. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful and Keswick had a 5-0 lead with 35 minutes gone. An immediate riposte by Trafford showed their abilities and it took a well marshalled defence to keep them out before Keswick were able to kick to clear downfield. A final first half penalty against Trafford allowed a driving maul to within 5 metres before the ball was again run right for Weir to score his second try on the stroke of half time, again unconverted, for a 10-0 lead, which reflected the teams’ performances.

The second half began with Trafford’s pack competing more effectively in the loose and at scrums but as before, the team giving away possession with needless penalties. Only a few minutes into the half Trafford’s line-out functioned successfully with a ball to the back releasing Coxon in the centre to break through from 15 metres and touch down under the posts for a converted try, 10-7. A kicking game developed with both sides missing touch before Holme, kicking to touch from a line-out caught the opposition defence napping as the ball unexpectedly stayed in play allowing 4 Keswick players to chase a hack forward before Robinson picked up the ball to score under the posts. The conversion attempt went astray leaving Keswick 15-7 up after 15 minutes of the half.

At this stage it looked as if Keswick would score again but Trafford had other ideas and their defence proved solid, although they gave away too many penalties close to their line in their efforts. Keswick were also penalised and one penalty in front of the posts allowed Trafford to get within one score at 15-10. The game was finely balanced and with over 20 minutes left could have gone to either team. Unnecessary mistakes by both sides gave away possession too often and Trafford were lucky not to lose a player for repeat offences close to their line in keeping Keswick out, but they held firm, although towards the end they looked less like managing to score again themselves.

The final whistle gave Keswick a 4 point win, and with Aspatria losing away at Fleetwood puts them back on top of the league table with a game in hand. The pressure continues though, with no easy fixtures as we approach the half-way stage next Saturday, when the game, away at second placed Aspatria, should prove to be an exciting event. Kick off will be at 2.15pm at the Aspatria Rugby Club ground.