KESWICK 63 points – MORESBY 12.

In spring like conditions in front of a good size crowd, Keswick gave a good performance in what was arguably the most satisfying result of the season.
Certainly some of Keswick’s tries came at the end of exciting moves and there was widespread satisfaction in the delivery of an ambitious game plan designed to take maximum advantage of a fast dry pitch. The benefits of a good start were clear when charges by the forwards exposed fragility in Moresby’s ‘first-up’ defence and established momentum impressively sustained for 80 minutes. Keswick’s continuity was unerringly accurate and the wider runs of stand-off Paul Ireland and back row forwards Aaron Thompson, James Addyman and Joe Quail created a try in the left corner for full- back Brian Storey. The conversion by Ireland was the first in a fine goal-kicking display which included two penalties and two further conversions before half-time. First-half tries were scored by Bruce Rigby 2 and Thompson, two at the culmination of cutting edge moves demonstrating individual flair, teamwork and the correct choice of option, and best of all, the first of Rigby’s brace, was reward for his bottle and a stunning opportunist on-the-move pick-up of a Moresby chip ahead destined for their right winger.
It was as well for Keswick that things went so well because given any chance to shine Moresby were highly dangerous too, a fact all too clearly emphasised by first half tries which were skilled and explosive creations from passing innovations developed in an instant.
Moresby’s try and conversion just before half time alerted Keswick to the dangers of complacency and in no way was the 30 -12 scoreline regarded as a safe cushion. Keswick reacted in the best way possible which was to quickly re-establish the healthy tempo of the first half and by running all possession. To help this process Keswick’s set piece play was consistently good and the service provided by scrum half Dean Robinson was top drawer throughout. The strategy involved the whole team and most of Keswick’s approaches during the third quarter featured smooth combinations between forwards and backs. Rigby scored on the left after a good run and pass by Thompson, and only minutes after being stopped just short of the line, Stephen Hodgson picked up a loose ball discarded in contact and galloped home from 55 metres. Keswick monopolised possession and could have scored more. During a frantic period of heavy pressure in the mid-second half, efforts by Joe Bagnall, Carrick Wharmby and Karl Smyth to name but three, were stopped short or were bundled into touch, by desperate last ditch Moresby defence.
Moresby never stopped trying to attack, but Keswick worried them with the quality of their line-speed and no nonsense tackling. Moresby’s ‘catch-up’ approach was risky and when another speculative attacking chip went direct to Rigby he secured the ball safely and from 40 metres finished with a try under the crossbar.
Dom Maguire continued his scoring habit with a 67th minute try in the left corner. The achievement owed much to a determined dual contribution by free-running prop forward Mike Tait, and the well-conceived continuation of the passing sequence by Storey, Thompson and the hard grafting l Smyth. Pushing hard to the end, Keswick twice messed-up when forward-passes indicated the absence of necessary depth. The issue was addressed, and corrected during the move which led to a final, and deserved, try for the industrious Joe Quail. Ireland kicked four second half conversions.