PP and Morpeth took to the field first allowing Keswick a little time to organise positions and some small changes in game play. Keswick travelled with only fourteen players. Sadly through injury, illness or prior commitments. Keswick were not disheartened and stepped up to the mark.

PP took the win against Morpeth in a tightly fought contest. Keswick then took to the field allowing PP some rest bite.
From the off Keswick were closing Morpeth down, allowing them little space to create a gap. Morpeth being match ready took the pressure, slowly working their way back up the pitch. A possibly! badly timed tackle from Edward saw him take a rest for ten. Morpeth jumped and with some well timed passes and hard running from the Morpeth centres they found the overlap and the try line.
Keswick took it on the chin and worked there own moves. With communication and the game play of Ray, both the backs and forwards ran tight and wide lines looking for off loads out of the tackle. Drury who is improving with every match, took the ball past the gain line absorbing three tacklers every time. This allowed Goodman’s hands to link with Ray who had several fast runners to target. Edward always a safe set of hands at pace made clean yards, Combes hit the gaps and stepped the tackle magically and fuggle who’s tremendous pace and determination to run through walls gave Keswick the front foot.
Both Combes and fuggle(2) went on to score team tries. Edward was stopped short of the line a number of times as was Drury with inches to spare. Ray converted all three tries. Evans (oppositions mom) secured ball and made two try saving tackles, who was supported by Godfrey. Godfrey interfered in the Morpeth game, chopped all that ran his way and made impressive yards down the pitch.
The impact was heavy though and Morpeth had big players, this took its toll. Keswick lost fuggle to injury and certainly some of their fire.
Morpeth found their pace now having space to run and scored a try down the wing. The next ko left Keswick seeing out the half to win there first match. From a high kick the ball found Pages hands who kicked it clean to end the match.
Five minutes of water and pats on the back took Keswick up against PP!

PP had power and a well organised squad. The tremendous efforts of the Keswick team, saw repeated tackles and attacking runs from Abusnineh, ogolo-cork, Emeka and Godfrey to name but a few.
Keswick worked hard to retain possession and sadly could not secure the clean ball they were used to in the first match. Keswick also lost Edward to a shoulder injury. PP kindly loaned three players. Unfortunately Keswick had lost the inertia they had. The attack was slower and the defensive gaps started to appear. Keswick sadly could not retain the ball to make territory. PP on the other hand played with good ball skills and were able to score five tries, two converted. Keswick held their heads high and continued to play good rugby, with many positive plays straight off the training pitch. We will look forward to the return fixture in Apr.

In case you thought it was over….
The day continued into the clubhouse where a solid bunch of team players played challenges of skill against the opposition and their coaches, followed by an almost Mediterranean stroll along the coast eating pizza ….