Wind and rain blowing down the pitch heralded the start of Keswick’s visit to St Benedict’s on Saturday with the visitors kicking off with the wind. Despite making early use of the wind to clear downfield, Keswick ran the ball when the opportunity presented and found the St Benedict’s defence solid and unyielding. The first scrum put in went to St Benedict’s but they were pushed back and Keswick ran the ball left, winning a penalty that was kicked to the corner for a line out

Play from that line out ended in a penalty to Keswick some 7 metres out in front of the posts at which the scrum option was taken. Pushed back again, the home scrum broke up and prevented a certain Keswick try by kicking the ball out of the scrum illegally. A penalty try was awarded so Keswick took the lead, 0-7 after only 5 minutes. Both sides looked good with ball in hand as they played a similar style, driving with the forwards to gain ground before letting the backs run with the ball. Despite the wind affecting passing some good runs were made, but kicks through with the wind behind ended up going dead for a scrum back.

Driven off the ball on their put in to the scrum, St Benedict’s again gave away a penalty as they could not cope with the Keswick pressure and the visitors were able this time to kick successfully to the corner but from the line out could not breach the home side’s defence. The wind dropped and rain stopped a quarter of the way into the game and much of the play was in midfield as both sides were able to turn the ball over in the tackle to stymie attacks. On 30 minutes not retreating 10 metres at a penalty gave a kicking chance to Billy Thompson who successfully converted to 0-10.

St Benedict’s followed this with a sustained attack on the Keswick line from a scrum, coming close to scoring but unable to get past a strong Keswick defence, eventually winning a penalty 5 metres out but still unable to reach the try line. Winning a line out in the Keswick 22 St Benedict’s ran the ball but a loose pass was kicked through by Harry Vaillant and with support from Danny Craghill they reached the home side’s in goal to touch down. The referee had spotted some interference and awarded a penalty try before blowing for half time on 0-17.

The second half started with a penalty kick to Keswick for backchat after the penalty try had been awarded and a yellow card had also been flourished. Seven minutes into the half a player from each side was yellow carded for an altercation and the resulting penalty to the visitors was converted by Thompson for 0-20. From the kick off St Benedict’s won the subsequent line out and ran the ball right to outpace the defence and score a converted try in the corner, 7-20 on 50 minutes. The wind favoured the home side in this half and they also found that kicks deep occasionally went too far as play was brought back.

Play became settled in the Keswick half as both sides were unable to break the opposition’s defensive line and coughed up possession more than they would have liked. On 2 occasions St Benedict’s attacked from line outs in the Keswick 22 but both promising efforts came to nought, the better chance ending in an unforced knock on. St Benedict’s earned their third yellow card on 65 minutes for a no arms tackle, much to the displeasure of the home supporters.

Despite being a man down, the St Benedict’s defence remained robust and unbending until, on 75 minutes they won a line out in their 22 and having run the ball, kicked to clear, but the kick was charged down by George Holme who was able to cross with it to score on the left, converted by Thompson for 7-27.

St Benedict’s attacked immediately but a pass was taken by the wind and caught by Vaillant for Keswick, who managed some slick interplay with his winger and full back for the ball to be touched down under the posts by Jonny Robinson, again converted by Thompson for the bonus point and 7-34. St Benedict’s had one more attacking phase before the ball went out of play and the final whistle on a game that had been closer than the final score suggests.

Saturday sees Keswick hosting second placed Southport at Davidson Park, a match that will be attended by RFU Vice President Rob Briers as part of the RFU’s 150th anniversary celebrations.