A minute's silence was held before kick-off in recognition of Remembrance Sunday.
Both sides made a positive start, with Keswick looking to exploit the width of the pitch. Left winger Hugo Shearer was particularly effective, making several breaks down the touchline and causing Kendal problems throughout the opening exchanges.
Keswick's early pressure was rewarded with two tries from captain and Player of the Match Noah Gruner. Both scores came following a series of powerful forward phases, demonstrating the effectiveness of Keswick's direct approach around the gain line.
Kendal responded with a try of their own to bring the score to 10–5.
Keswick perhaps felt they had left a couple of opportunities out on the pitch during the first half and could have taken a more commanding lead into the break. However, they knew a significant second-half performance would be required against a Kendal side that was growing in confidence and beginning to create opportunities of their own.
The response from Keswick was immediate. Thomas Downie used his pace to get around the Kendal fullback before finishing well in the corner beneath the clubhouse.
Keswick followed this up with another try, this time from Talhaa Usman, who crossed for his first try in a Keswick shirt. Taking a short pass from scrum-half Stan Bardsley, Usman used his strength and power to break through the Kendal defence and crash over the line.
Keswick's fifth and final try came courtesy of Jacob Palmer. It was a score that would not have looked out of place at Fitz Park! Following a long clearance kick, Marco Walsh chased superbly and continued to apply pressure. Unable to gather the ball cleanly under pressure from Kendal, Walsh instead kicked it along the ground three times before a final hack through from Palmer allowed him to touch down.
Perhaps not the most aesthetically pleasing try ever scored at Davidson Park, but the determination and effort shown by both players in the chase were outstanding. Palmer added the conversion to extend Keswick's lead.
To their credit, Kendal never gave up and continued to push until the final whistle, adding two further tries of their own. Their second came right at the death, following some slick handling from their back three, which created the space for their winger to finish in the corner.
The final whistle confirmed a 27–17 victory for Keswick.
Tries - Noah Gruner (2), Thomas Downie, Talhaa Usman, Jacob Palmer.
Cons - Jacob Palmer (1).
Player of the match -Noah Gruner.
Forward of the Match - Noah Gruner
Back of the Match - Robert Maguranyanga