Keswick started the game strongly, scoring after just two minutes through a well worked try by Callum McClary. Immediately after the kick off Keswick went on the attack again, putting pressure on a disorganised Windermere defence and Ben Metcalfe crashed over, giving Keswick a 12-0 lead. Windermere regrouped and looked dangerous in attack and after a string of Keswick penalties scored a well deserved converted try. The rest of the first half was tight until Keswick went on the attack from deep in their own half leading to a long range try from Max Carr making the half time score 17-7.

Windermere started the second half the strongest and quickly scored after some good attacking play. Keswick then gifted Windermere territory through ill discipline and the defence eventually broke leading to another Windermere try (which was unconverted) giving the visitors the lead. Both sides exchanged tries and with 15 minutes left to go Keswick led 29-24 with further tries from Josh Clark and Ste Holloway and Holloway added three conversions in total in the game. The Keswick scrum which had been dominant all day eventually reaped its reward. Awarded a penalty five metres from the Windermere try line Keswick opted for a scrum and all eight forwards worked as one to drive Windermere back at a rate of knots. The ball was perfectly controlled at the back of the scrum by Seth Relph who dotted the ball down for the match winning score. Both teams played some excellent running rugby, but Keswick’s set piece dominance eventually told in the final quarter.

In other Counties 2 Cumbria results, Millom Stay top of the table with a 52-12 win over Penrith 2nds, Workington lost out 17-31 at home to Furness, and Creighton hammered the struggling Ambleside 111-0. Keswick stay in second place in the table with the bonus point win. Keswick are away at bottom aide Ambleside on Saturday.

Image courtesy of Theo Wallace