Upper Eden 0 Keswick 25

A loyal group of supporters followed a slightly depleted Keswick 1st XV to Kirkby Lonsdale for the top versus bottom game against Upper Eden last Saturday. They had proved to be difficult opponents in the home fixture only 3 weeks earlier and had kept the match tight until the last quarter so a difficult game was anticipated.

The rain had stopped and the wind died away as Keswick kicked off into the Upper Eden half, where they then stayed for the next 15 minutes, winning a penalty almost immediately which was converted on 2 minutes for a 0-3 lead. Getting straight back into the Upper Eden half, Keswick’s next penalty was kicked to the corner but Eden were able to hold their own and make progress towards half way line. Winning a line-out against the throw-in, Keswick then showed the quality of their backs with a good run by Ryan Weir but were unable to turn the position and possession into points. Dominant in the set scrums, Keswick put pressure on to win another penalty but this time the kick went wide. From the drop-out Keswick attacked and were denied by a knock forward, after which Eden got into the Keswick half for the first time.

Winning their own scrums saw Keswick kicking for position to get back into the home team’s half whilst they in turn found their rhythm and put together some useful attacks, their forwards and backs linking successfully. A good attack down the right, with Andy Wallace and Weir combining well ended in touch 10 metres out but Eden’s clearing kick from the line-out merely gave Keswick the opportunity to attack again. Kicking the ball dead allowed Eden to drop out but the ball was caught by Will Addyman then passed to Olly MacPherson who made a great run before passing to Louis Cornforth to dance through the last 2 tackles to score an unconverted try on 21 minutes to extend the lead to 0-8.

Proving as difficult to overcome as they had at Davidson Park, Eden defended well though giving away more penalties than they would have liked. Opting to kick for the corner rather than for goal at these penalties, Keswick attacked through the forwards but the stout Eden defence kept them out. A measure of the Keswick pressure was that it was not until the 35th minutes that Eden got into the Keswick 22. Their forwards got within a metre of the Keswick line before losing possession and despite winning 3 subsequent penalties of their own, which they tapped to get to the line twice more, were unable to score and the half ended with Keswick in the lead 0-8.

Eden attacked from the start of the second half but soon found themselves back in their own half as Keswick ran the ball at them. A clearing kick was returned by the Wallace - Weir combination again but ran into touch some 7 metres out. More Keswick penalties were kicked to the corner until one 5 metres out was taken as a scrum where the dominance showed and Aaron Thompson was able to touch the ball down for a pushover try, again unconverted, Muir having left the field through injury. 0-13 on 8 minutes.

A good combination play followed shortly after, the forwards and backs combining as Addyman took another good catch, passed to Lewis Lindsay, to Carrick Wharmby to Wallace then Weir who scored an unconverted try in the corner, 0-18 on 11 minutes. A yellow card for coming in at the side didn’t help Eden’s cause and with the win almost certain and thoughts turning to a fourth try and a bonus point, close to the line Keswick opted for scrums at penalties. On 22 minutes, having clearly considered the option at the last try, the referee lost patience as the Eden scrum broke up again and awarded a penalty try, 0-25 and the bonus point won.

Eden were not giving up and attacked whenever they had possession, sometimes to their own detriment as they tried to hold on to the ball in the tackle. The last few minutes saw Eden attacking the Keswick line, choosing to run the ball from penalties rather than take 3 points. With a 3-man overlap on the left they knocked forward when scoring would have been an easier option. In the end the Keswick defence proved up to the task, George Attwood, on for Muir, making a try saving tackle in the corner as the gloom descended with the failing light.

This was the first clean sheet kept in Cumbria League One this season and with Aspatria also gaining a bonus point win, Keswick remain 6 points ahead.

The 2nd XV faced a depleted Preston Grasshoppers 3rd XV who arrived short of a few players and were lent one for the game. All credit to them for fulfilling the fixture when they could have cried off altogether. They were always going to struggle against a full side and that was the case as they went down 62-3, the result leaving Keswick mid-table. On Saturday the 2nd XV are away at Littleborough who are just below them in the table and will provide stiffer opposition.

Saturday’s game at Davidson Park will see Keswick 1st XV host Aspatria and will be a true top-of-the-table clash. The away game in October ended in a 10-10 draw so this will be a game both sides will be keen to win. Keswick Rugby Club are supporting Amy’s Care this season and for the Aspatria game there will be a £5 entry fee and a post match raffle, all money raised going to Amy’s Care. Anyone wishing to donate a raffle prize can do so at the clubhouse either in advance or on the day.

Support for the team and for Amy’s Care is always welcome and Saturday promises to be a good day with an excellent match to watch and a good charity raffle afterwards.