Mens 1st XV
Matches
Sat 12 Jan 2019  ·  Cumbria Division 1
Keswick Rugby Football Club
Mens 1st XV
Tries: J Benson (2), R Weir (5), O Macpherson (2), C Sellars, A Wallace, A MuirConversions: B Storey, A Muir (3)
68
0
St Benedicts
Keswick 68 St Benedicts 0

Keswick 68 St Benedicts 0

Frank Hewett-Smith13 Jan 2019 - 08:47
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Keswick’s Second Clean Sheet

Wet and overcast conditions were much in evidence for Keswick’s home fixture against St Benedicts on Saturday, the only team to beat them in the league this season, and that by a single point. A confident Keswick kicked off and immediately defended, though in the opposition half, as Bennies retained possession and attacked through their pack. Unable to make progress that way they passed the ball wide, where their backs knocked on for the first scrum. Dominant in that scrum, Keswick won a penalty and kicked to the corner, where they made the first of a few not straight thrown ins to the line-out. Opting for a scrum Bennies were pushed off their own ball and Keswick No8 James Benson picked up from the back and powered over from 7 metres for the game’s first try, unconverted, 5-0 on 6 minutes.

From a line-out in the Keswick half, the ball was run then George Holme kicked ahead, followed up by Ryan Weir who hacked on and gathered the ball to score a try converted by Brian Storey for 12-0 on 9 minutes. Driving play by the pack before releasing the ball to the backs got Keswick into Bennies 22 where they won a penalty 7 metres out. Opting for a scrum, the ball was well controlled at the back before a missed pass allowed Weir to score an unconverted try on the right for 17-0 on 15 minutes. Keswick then defended well as Bennies made an all too rare foray into their 22, reaching the 5 metre line before losing possession at a line-out and giving away a penalty, allowing Keswick to clear.

Unable to gain good possession at a scrum after not straight at a line-out, Bennies were outplayed as Aaron Thompson picked up and passed to Benson who ran in from 20 metres to score his second try, again unconverted, on 22 minutes, giving Keswick a try bonus point. Direct from the restart forwards and backs combined to help Weir canter over for his third try, not converted, for 27-0 on 23 minutes. Five minutes later more good forward play released Weir for his fourth try as Keswick looked unstoppable and Bennies seemed to lose heart for a period, 32-0. Bennies kicked off deep, Andy Muir returned the kick only for the Bennies fullback to knock forward into the path of Oli MacPherson who kicked through then picked up to cross for a try, converted by Muir to take the score to 39-0 with quarter of the half left. The next good attack came to nought as a wayward pass found a Bennies player and a penalty against Keswick allowed the visitors to clear their lines. That respite was not for long as from a scrum on the Bennies side of the halfway line, Benson passed left and Christian Sellars scored his try, converted by Muir for a 46-0 half time score.

Keswick rang the changes at half time with the win more or less guaranteed to bring on the replacements. Bennies seemed to be reinvigorated as well and the free running and scoring that Keswick had enjoyed became more difficult. Both sides attacked when they had the ball, but also defended well so in the first few minutes the game ebbed and flowed more than it had. Eventually though, Keswick possession and use of the backs saw MacPherson cross again for an unconverted try on 45 minutes for 51-0. Good attacks by Bennies failed to make progress and they lost possession through penalties and the occasional turnover.

A good attack on the left saw a first Keswick player brought down short and the player taking the offload also brought down short, but Andy Wallace took the final pass and touched down in the corner for an unconverted try, 56-0. A promising attack by Bennies from a scrum on the halfway line broke down when they knocked forward for Weir to pick up, break 3 tackles, and score a try, converted by Muir to extend the lead to 63-0 on 65 minutes.

A clearance to touch by Bennies allowed Keswick to win the line-out and run left, for Muir to angle right and run through some players to take the final score to 68-0, the try not converted, with the game almost over. This was only the second time in the league this season that a team has kept a clean sheet and it has been Keswick on both occasions. Long before the final whistle blew on this comprehensive win it was clear that this was nothing like the side Keswick had faced at St Benedicts temporary home at Lowca in October, where the difference had been just the one point. With Wigton losing at Upper Eden and Whitehaven overcoming Cockermouth, the chase for fourth place will be decided on the final weekend of the first part of the season, with Wigton, Whitehaven and Hawcoat Park still in with a chance. Those fixtures, including Keswick away at Whitehaven, will be played on Saturday 26 January.

Meanwhile, as the 1st XV beat St Benedicts, Keswick 2nd XV faced Leigh 2nd XV in the County Courier Services Division 2. This should have been an away fixture, but as Leigh had failed to travel to Keswick earlier in the season, under league rules, this fixture was moved to Keswick. A 39-0 win for Keswick sees them move level on points with Leigh and one place below in seventh place but with 2 games in hand.

Next Saturday there is a Cumbria Division One break for the 1st XV but the 2nd XV will be in action at home against Southport 2nd XV, currently 2 places and 5 points above Keswick but having played 2 more games. This should be a close encounter of the rugby kind and provide some exciting entertainment as January draws on. What a great time to be a Keswick supporter.

Match details

Match date

Sat 12 Jan 2019

Kickoff

TBC

Competition

Cumbria Division 1

League position

1
Keswick
7
St Benedicts
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

1st XV Main Shirt Sponsor - Honister
1st XV Shirt Sponsor - O'Reilly Wealth Management
1st XV Shirt Sponsor - Podgy Paws
1st XV Shirt Sponsor - Syke Farm Campsite
Warm Up Shirt Sponsor - Raging Bull
Player Sponsor - Stephen Mandale
Player Sponsor - Davies Taxis
Player Sponsor - High Hill Ford
Player Sponsor - Greta Motor Bodyworks
Player Sponsor - Temple Sports
Player Sponsor - Geoff Benson Electrical
Player Sponsor - Simon Grisdale Removals & Storage
Player Sponsor - CBA Events
Player Sponsor - Brian Roper Plumbing
Player Sponsor - In Memory of Nobby & Maureen Clark
Player Sponsor - Twisted Magnolia Tap Room & Brew House
Player Sponsor - Keswick Kitchen
Player Sponsor - Inglewood Farms
Player Sponsor - Lingholm Estate
Player Sponsor - Present Moment
Player Sponsor - Asaya Thai Restaurant
Player Sponsor - Sunset Supper Club
Player Sponsor - Marilyn Grant
Match Sponsor - Brundholme Dental Practice
Ball Sponsor - Friars
Ball Sponsor - Keswick Travel