Keswick 5 Birkenhead Park 36

Saturday saw BBC Radio Cumbria’s James Clarke cover the Keswick v Birkenhead Park match in their first meeting in the North One West League fixture at Davidson Park. The match, sponsored by Brundholme Dental Practice, began with one minute’s silence to honour the memory of former player Chris Burns and the club flag was flown at half mast. The weather was excellent, with the forecast rain failing to put in an appearance though the pitch was wet underfoot from the recent persistent rain.

Birkenhead Park kicked off and an early exchange of kicks ended with the first line out of the game, on the Park 22. Won by the visitors on their throw they soon lost possession, giving away a penalty which saw a second line out on their 22. Keswick attacked from this and at every opportunity, winning their third penalty soon afterwards but found themselves facing a solid and well drilled defence. An early attacking opportunity was lost as the line out ball was uncharacteristically overthrown and Park were able to reach the Keswick 22 before losing possession. This end to end Rugby was exciting as two evenly matched sides were watched by an appreciative and sizeable crowd.

Birkenhead Park were now able to mount their first attack within the Keswick 22 and their inside centre eventually proved too strong for the Keswick defence, crossing for the first try, converted, to give them the lead, 0-7 on 11 minutes. Two injuries in quick succession and at the time the try was scored, to captain Aaron Thompson and wing Louis Cornforth who both left the field, seemed ominous but fortunately Thompson was able to return to the game later.

Another penalty to Keswick was excellently kicked to the corner by George Holme but for a second time an overthrow in an attacking position gifted possession to Park who mauled and then ran the ball out of defence. Reaching the Keswick 22 they again gave away a penalty, the count going very much against them, and a clearance kick relieved the pressure. At Park’s next attack, on 20 minutes, the outside centre chose to try to break the line himself instead of passing to the unmarked winger outside him and that move ended. Winning a penalty on the Keswick 22 Park chose to kick for goal instead of touch which reflected the success of the Keswick defence. Successfully converted it put Park ahead 0-10 on 22 minutes.

Park then continued their attacks, forwards driving to gain ground and as soon as Keswick were on the back foot releasing the ball to the backs to make further progress. Excellent Keswick defence was able to deny Park a score when they brought their full back in to create an overlap and were able to touch down after a last-ditch tackle to claim a try, However, the referee was well positioned and able to see that the scorer had used his knee to move forward after the tackle, therefore meaning it was a double move and try disallowed. Two successive penalties against Keswick followed, bringing play into the home 22 again. Winning the ball in the line out Park ran it left only to lose possession forward in the tackle, allowing Keswick to clear to the half way line on 30 minutes. A penalty for not releasing in the tackle saw Keswick run the ball left using missed passes but the final pass was behind the winger and went into touch for a line out.

Using their forwards to good effect, keeping the ball tight and driving round the fringes helped Park reach the Keswick line on 35 minutes when the defence held the ball up over the line but quick recycling by Park meant their final drive could not be stopped and they scored a converted try near the posts for 0-17. Keswick attacked again from a penalty kick to the corner but another poor throw was relieved only by Park knocking forward. Now under pressure in the scrums Keswick had to heel and release the ball quickly, reducing potential options. Nevertheless, awarded another penalty, centre field on the opposition 22, Keswick opted for a scrum, from which they won another penalty and this time kicked for goal but the effort went wide and the half time whistle went.

A poor kick off by Keswick to start the second half saw them defending immediately and having to work in their own 22. Park made the first constructive attack of the half but challenged by the defence lost possession forward. Relief was short and, regaining possession, Park attacked again, winning a penalty that allowed them the throw to a line out inside the Keswick 22. This time Keswick were able to disrupt the line out and have the put in to a scrum on the 5 metre line. Unable to clear far Keswick again found themselves defending a line out on the 22, but this time Park mauled successfully before releasing the ball to the backs who ran it right to score an unconverted try on 53 minutes, the conversion attempt coming back off the upright, 0-22. Three minutes later Keswick won a line out and, running the ball left, found Ryan Weir in from the right to show his pace in evading 3 tackles to score an unconverted try, 5-22.

Stung into action Park immediately attacked through their forwards who linked up with their backs but, stopped by a good defence they recycled to their forwards who mauled to the line to extend their lead with another converted try on 60 minutes for 5-29. Keswick kicked off deep and Park were ready, running the ball back to the Keswick 22 where the final pass was knocked forward and the ball was lost. A good run from deep by Keswick took the ball into the Park half where a knock forward by the visitors allowed Keswick to regain possession and mount another attack. However, the Park backs were up too quickly and an interception on their 22 saw the successful player run the length of the pitch to score another converted try on 66 minutes for 5-36.

Keswick continued to attack, Thompson linking with Matty Roper and Weir from the back of a scrum to make excellent progress on the right and win a penalty, before having the put in to a scrum 10 metres out. A good pick up at the back had Roper stopped just short with Keswick winning a penalty and opting for a scrum 5 metres out. A second penalty resulted in a yellow card for a Park player on 76 minutes and Keswick, opting for another scrum, mounted a good attack before losing possession only to attack again through a kick and chase. Time was against the home side though and the final whistle went with Keswick losing 5-36 against the team in third position in the League.

There are promising signs for Keswick despite the defeat. The players are now adjusting to the increased speed of the game at this level. Handling is improving, as is decision making and the defence has become more solid with fewer missed tackles. In attack the supporting play remains strong and the supporters are being treated to some entertaining rugby. For large periods of the game Keswick held their own and there is much promise on show.

Saturday sees the First XV travel to Burnage near Stockport who are currently in fifth position. The Second XV meanwhile, who had their fixture at De la Salle called off last week due to a flooded pitch, are at home to Eccles 2nd XV who are 4 places below them in their league. For those unable to travel to Burnage the home game promises to be an exciting contest.