Keswick RFC may have played their last league game of the season but the sport is still providing us with plenty of entertainment. The Bill Beaumont Senior Men’s County Championship has taken place over the last 3 weekends, with Cumbria in Division 3 Pool 1 competing away against North Midlands which they won 21-30, then away against Notts, Lincs & Derbys which they won 25-41. Keswick player Jamie Mckenzie, together with former Keswick players Glen and Peter Weightman whose parents Alan and Liz are committee members at Keswick RFC, and Mark Ireland all represented Cumbria in the competition. On Saturday last at Aspatria they played an unbeaten Oxfordshire, pre-match favourites, for a place in the final at Twickenham. Cumbria proved too strong for Oxfordshire in the final quarter, coming back from 10-6 down at half time to win 26-10, with Ireland the successful place kicker and Glen Weightman dropping a goal at a crucial stage to open the gap to 2 scores before the final try came in stoppage time. Cumbria will now play against Dorset & Wiltshire on Saturday 8 June in the final at Twickenham.

In the meantime, the annual May visit to Keswick by Corstorphine RFC in Edinburgh was well received. Then 28 players from Keswick went on a mini rugby tour to Cork in Ireland, with games against Highfield RFC, a 27-44 win, and against Dolphin RFC at Munster Park, which the home side won 52-17. After the Highfield game a Cumberland & Westmorland wrestling competition was staged and was won by Keswick’s Ryan Weir. A good time was had by all and the hospitality was excellent.

Mitsubishi Motors and the RFU jointly have a Volunteer Recognition Programme leading to Volunteer of the Year Awards. Keswick RFC are proud to announce that 4 Club members, Sal Pepper, Frank Hewett-Smith, Stephanie Ratcliffe and Katie Airey have been nominated for the awards. Stephanie and Katie coach the girls’ rugby, and Sal, as well as being Membership Secretary, represents the Club on the Beer Festival Committee, where her hard work behind the scenes is very much appreciated by those who know. Frank is forwards and second XV coach and has contributed to the Club’s most successful season in recent years. We are pleased that their dedication and contribution has been recognised and wish them success.