Keswick 30 Wigton 10

Saturday’s Keswick 1st XV match at home to second place Wigton pitted 2 well-matched teams against each other in conditions that allowed for open, running rugby, so different from the previous week. Wigton kicked off and the early play was an exchange of kicks, both sides aiming to gain field position until a knock-on gave Keswick the put-in to the first scrum, at which their dominance was obvious. A couple of early penalties allowed both sides to kick for touch before Wigton collapsed a rolling maul to allow Keswick to kick to the corner for a line-out. A take and drive led to a further penalty, converted by Brian Storey for a 3-0 lead on 8 minutes.

Wigton attacked immediately, winning a penalty to have their own line-out a few metres from the Keswick try line. However, a good steal in the line-out allowed Keswick to clear to the half-way line from where, winning another penalty, Wigton were able to attack again. A line-out overthrow by Wigton was well won by James Benson, who made good ground before yet another penalty relieved the pressure on Wigton.

A line-out win by Keswick was mauled by the pack which, unable to cross the line, released it to the backs for Louis Cornforth to make a good run on the left wing, but he was tackled just short. The attack continued through the pack before the ball was passed right with Andy Wallace timing his pass to Ryan Weir, who got past 2 defenders and took a third across the line with him to score on the right, converted by Storey for 10-3 on 17 minutes.

Attacking from the re-start, Wigton lost possession at a line-out with another overthrow, again cleared up well by Benson to get into the opposition 22 before losing the ball for another penalty. Gaining field ground and winning a penalty just outside the Keswick 22, Wigton successfully converted for 10-3 on 23 minutes. The kick off by Keswick was deep and Wigton kicked straight back towards the Keswick 22. Wallace caught the ball, made a few metres and passed the ball to Cornforth who ran 45 metres down the left wing to score an unconverted try in the corner on 23 minutes for 15-3. A couple of quick penalties to Wigton gave them another shot at goal but this was missed, as was a second attempt a few minutes later as the penalty count against Keswick mounted.

Both sides attacked at every opportunity, using similar tactics of tying in the opposition pack by driving with the forwards, before releasing the backs and both suffered from handling errors which ended otherwise promising moves. The half ended with the score on 15-3.

Having kicked off, Keswick put pressure on with kicks to touch to then disrupting the Wigton line-out, gaining the put-in to the subsequent scrums and winning occasional penalties as the continuing strength of their pack put pressure on the opposition. A penalty kick at goal by Keswick drifted right and an exchange of kicks followed as both sides looked to re-find their rhythm after the break. Wigton had the better of the next period of play, attacking and spending time in the Keswick half, in one attack gaining 50 metres before the inevitable knock-on. Keswick broke the pattern by failing to find touch from a penalty, with the return kick being caught and run back by Jamie Mackenzie, leading to a penalty in the opposition 22 for offside. This time Storey’s kick was successful and Keswick’s lead extend to 18-3 after 14 minutes.

Further attacks by Keswick were thwarted by a stalwart Wigton side which clearly considered attack to be the best form of defence, using their larger forwards to drive through before asking their backs to run the ball, but they met an equally determined Keswick defence. A second kick at goal from a further penalty to Keswick just outside the 22 was unsuccessful and those watching thought that going for the corner to look for a try would have been the better option, as Keswick were already 3 scores, though only 2 tries, ahead and a bonus point win would be useful.

A further attack by Keswick through Cornforth saw him tackled into touch just short on the left but Wigton were able to defend the line-out and move to the half-way line. They made good progress upfield, finally overcoming a stretched Keswick defence to score a try on the right. An exuberant exchange of views followed before the try was successfully converted to bring Wigton closer at 18-10 after 30 minutes, a score they deserved.

Keswick responded quickly, winning a penalty from the kick off, putting the ball in the corner and attacking through the forwards from the line-out, Michael Tait being the player to score Keswick’s third try, unconverted, for a 23-10 lead on 33 minutes. The final play of the game came from an excellent pick up at the back of a scrum on the half way line, the ball run left before being kicked through for a chase. Wallace was the man who made the final few kicks, from the Wigton 10 metre line on the left, across field, beating 2 defenders to the ball to touch down to the right of the posts, the referee being well positioned to see that he was first to the ball. Successfully converted by Storey the final whistle went on a bonus point win by 30-10 to put Keswick 7 points clear at the top of Cumbria League 1.

The 2nd XV travelled to a much improved Tarleton and despite valiant efforts went down 42-12. They are in 6th place, mid-table, with 4 wins from 6 games and are having a successful season. Saturday sees the 2nds at home to Colne & Nelson, one place above them in the league, but level on points and wins, so a close game is anticipated. Meanwhile the 1st XV will make the short journey to St Benedicts, who are playing their home games this season at Lowca ARLFC and are currently in seventh place with only one win. However, they will be tough opposition and are not to be underestimated.