Keswick v Ambleside

Following a few days of rain parts of the pitch were waterlogged and both teams found playing in some areas, particularly the centre of the pitch, challenging. Despite the conditions, both sides aimed to play an open game, giving the backs a chance to run with the ball as much as possible.

This was, however, as the cliché goes, a game of two halves. The bigger Ambleside pack proved dominant in the scrums, pushing the lighter Keswick pack back but the faster Keswick back row managed to win turnover ball at the breakdown, so in the first half had most of the play. The first try came from a strong run down the left wing for George Holme to slide in for a touchdown in the corner; it was not converted. Continuing dominance gave Keswick three further tries through Bruce Rigby, Harry Vaillant and Matty Scott, but as none was converted, the score was 20-0 at half time.

Dominance changed in the second half, with Ambleside’s strong performance in the set pieces extending to other areas of the game. Denied possession, Keswick found themselves on the defensive, but still took the opportunity to give the replacements, now known as finishers, a chance to play their part. It was good experience for the 7 finishers but despite all their efforts the only score in the second half came from an unconverted try by Ambleside. The final score, 20-5, was a fair reflection of the game overall.

Keswick’s First XV play their final league game at home on Saturday 8 April against Millom. Do come and enjoy the atmosphere to support and encourage the team prior to their final competitive game of the season. On Saturday 15 April, Keswick play Whitehaven in the Cumbria League Cup Final at Cockermouth. This is a major challenge and Club Chairman, Trevor Keough, said “We are delighted that we have won the Cumbria League and now move forward to attempt to win a league and cup double. We welcome as much support as we can get on the day down at Cockermouth.”