It was five wins on the bounce in Keswick's Counties 2 Cumbria campaign, and this was a good win which never really looked in doubt after the early opening score from Callum McClary and a series of successful penalty kicks from Ste Holloway.  McClary went over after a trademark sprint up the right wing with Holloway adding the conversion for 7-0. Holloway then added to the lead when he took advantage of a penalty awarded by referee Elliott Armstrong to kick for goal. It wasn't all one way at this stage of the game,  and whilst the two sides well matched in the line out, Penrith were marginally stronger in the scrum, and they used field position well to score an unconverted try on the right wing for 10-5. Keswick then extended their lead with an try from Lance Lake who charged in behind a kick forwards and was more than delighted to pounce on the loose ball when both players in front of him missed the catch allowing Lake to slide in and dot down for an unconverted try, with Keswick now leading 12-5. Holloway kept Keswick in the driving seat with two more penalties and six more points, and was unlucky not to score a third when his kick bounced back off the right hand upright. At half time it was 18-5.

Keswick then opened the second half with another McClary try from another acceleration up the right wing before cutting in to touch down beside the sticks, again converted by Holloway for 25-5, and the game was now Keswick's to lose. Penrith, who were playing far better than their lowly league position might have suggested they would, then hit back with a try of their own, and then battled their way back into the game with a second try from a beautiful interception, with the  conversion added, but the visitors could never quite close the gap in the score line to look like a real threat, with the busy boot of Man of the Match Holloway slotting over three more penalty kicks to always keep Keswick in front. A late Penrith penalty narrowed the gap again, but there were just three minutes left on the clock, and Keswick saw the game out for the win. 

Photo and text by Ben Challis

In other results, Creighton were defeated 15-43 at home to Millom, Windermere defeated Furness 27-19, and Workington Zebras defeated Ambleside 83-12. Millom are top of the table and Keswick in second place.  Keswick are away at Millom at Wilson Park in Haverigg on Saturday.