With Storm Callum causing cancelled sports matches in Cumbria, Keswick Rugby Club’s supporters were pleased that both the home pitch for the 2nd XV game against Fleetwood 2nd and away pitch for the 1st team game at Aspatria passed inspection. In the event, whilst the rain eased off at Aspatria and the pitch remained playable, the Keswick pitch got progressively wetter as the game went on, until the lake end was under water. Nevertheless, both games were played to the final whistle.

A good number of supporters made the short trip to Aspatria where unbeaten Keswick were playing an Aspatria side that had already suffered one defeat. Each side had played 3 games and the vagaries of the League fixtures planning meant that all Keswick’s matches had at been at home, whilst Aspatria’s had all been away. Though the playing surface was good, the wind and rain were diagonal across the pitch and in Keswick’s favour in the first half as they kicked off. An early penalty to Keswick gave them a line-out on the home 22, from which their backs knocked on for the first scrum, put in to Aspatria. Pushing the Aspatria pack back off their own ball Keswick again ran it and again knocked on, but this time the scrum was 10 metres inside the home 22. Taking against the head Keswick ran the ball right and a likely try was prevented by a dangerously high tackle to the head that took the attacker into touch when the try-line was open. It must have been the offender’s lucky day as he only received a yellow card and no penalty try was given. At the penalty Keswick opted for the scrum, 5 metres out but were immediately penalised for turning in, allowing Aspatria to clear.

Not much later a second Keswick attack down the right ended when the attacker was pushed into touch a couple of metres out by an airborne no-arms tackle. As before the official seemed unwilling to resort to a card for what was clearly a dangerous and unnecessary tactic, only a penalty being the outcome.

Keswick continued to attack, a penalty kick to the corner taken and driven by the pack, but pushed into touch, giving Aspatria the throw in at a line-out 5 metres out. In a foretaste of play to come, the home pack kept the ball tight, driving round the sides to make ground before the ball was kicked upfield. Another Keswick attack resulted but ended in touch 10 metres out. Yet another clearing kick was run back at Aspatria and again they were able to force the attacker into touch. On 18 minutes Aspatria were dispossessed on their 10 metre line and a great pass allowed Olly MacPherson to cross for an unconverted try about 5 metres in from the left touch, 0-5.

Now back up to full strength Aspatria tried running ball through their backs and made forays into the Keswick half but were unable to make much headway against a well marshalled defence. Both sides resorted to kicking, ending with another line-out 5 metres from the Aspatria line. Aided by the wind Keswick kept the home side pinned in their half using a series of well placed kicks to good advantage, but unable to breach the final line of defence. On 28 minutes a rolling maul by the Keswick pack was collapsed one metre from Aspatria line and with advantage being played Mike Tait crossed to score Keswick’s second unconverted try to lead 0-10.

Play continued around the middle of the field until Aspatria won a penalty and opted to kick for goal but it went wide to the left. There followed a number of scrums and the Aspatria pack were no match for Keswick, getting pushed off their own ball, trying to turn the scrum and when they did win possession, doing so going backwards. Having penalised Keswick for turning in at an early scrum the referee would have done well to go to the blind side occasionally to see that such a tactic was not a Keswick monopoly. Despite further attacks Aspatria were able to keep Keswick at bay and the half time score was 0-10.

As anticipated, from the moment Aspatria kicked off to start the second half, the wind ensured most of the play would be in the Keswick half of the pitch. Keswick were able to defend well and used their kickers well to relieve pressure. Play remained mostly in the Keswick half, with Aspatria using their larger forwards to drive round the edges of rucks, making useful ground before passing the ball out to their backs. On one occasion, with a 3-man overlap the ball carrier opted to cut back inside, allowing the Keswick cover to stifle the attack. Having won possession, Keswick lost it through not releasing, giving Aspatria the opportunity to attack from the subsequent line-out, this time play ending with another penalty to Aspatria one metre out for not releasing. The driving maul from that line-out, 10 minutes into the half, was held up by Keswick who were awarded the put-in on the 5 metre line.

The Aspatria tactic of using the forwards was working well, making ground and winning an occasional penalty. One was well within the kicker’s range but kicks to touch seemed to be the preferred option. Not retreating 10 metres gave Aspatria another kick to the corner and line-out on 17 minutes. At a penalty on the Keswick 5 metres they opted for a scrum and ran the ball right before resorting to the forwards with Gary Harrison crossing for a try, converted by Jack Clegg to bring the score to 7-10 on 20 minutes.

Much of the rest of the half was spent with Aspatria attacking hard and Keswick defending resolutely. Whilst it seemed that there was little Keswick could do to stop the Aspatria forwards from making the final yard, they did so successfully time after time. When Keswick did attack in the Aspatria half a yellow card for coming in at the side was particularly harsh in light of previous decisions. Despite being down a man for the last 10 minutes, the Keswick pack defended well and by using a centre at No 8 held their own in the scrum. Aspatria seemed determined to score a try and ignored a further opportunity to kick for goal allowing Keswick to make good progress in the home half, but with small errors letting them down at crucial moments.

With 2 minutes left Aspatria were awarded a penalty 28 metres out, centre field for a comment made by a Keswick player. It seemed an unnecessary decision and allowed Aspatria to get out of jail at the last gasp. The final score of 10-10 was a fair result though with both teams coping well in the difficult conditions and providing the spectators with an exciting game to watch.

Next Saturday sees a true top of the table clash at Davidson Park, as Keswick 1st XV host visitors Wigton. With Keswick topping the league and Wigton in second place only 2 points behind, this promises to be as challenging and entertaining as the match against Aspatria. Meanwhile, the 2nd XV, fresh from their win and in third place in their league are on the road to Tarleton just a few points lower in what will be another challenging game.