A young Keswick 2nd XV found themselves up against an experienced St Benedicts Ravens 2nd XV at Davidson Park on Saturday. Despite heavy rain beforehand the pitch was in excellent condition and a good match was anticipated.
The early play and pressure came from St Benedicts, who made use of their heavier pack and the wind to keep Keswick pinned in their own half for the first 15 minutes of the game. Sustained forward play was met by stout Keswick defence with both sides losing possession in close contact. A penalty kick to the corner by St Benedicts was cleared from the line-out by Keswick after an infringement, but kicking into wind meant little distance and the ball was quickly returned for the St Benedicts number 8 to drive for the line from the back of a scrum to put them 5-0 up after 5 minutes, the conversion missed.
Keswick stuck to their game plan of driving forward to set up a platform to kick or run from, but their failure to find touch meant the the ball was returned with interest, forcing more defensive play, which was good overall, winning the ball at the breakdown and challenging the heavier, more experienced opposition pack. However, this could not be sustained and a break up the right wing allowed St Benedicts to score an unconverted try in the corner, 10-0 after 12 minutes.
Undeterred, Keswick used their forwards to pressure St Benedicts into giving away penalties, running the ball well until a further penalty and a line out win allowed the pack to drive over from 10 metres for an unconverted try by Davis after 20 minutes.
A lot of driving forward play and running by both sets of backs characterised much of the rest of the first half, together with lost line-outs and scrums, as well as penalties. Keswick were saved when the St Benedicts physio got in the way of play as his team crossed the try-line, the result being a penalty to Keswick instead. However this was eventually followed by a St Benedicts penalty in front of the posts, converted just before half time to lead 13-5. The final act of the first half was a yellow card for foul play for a St Benedicts player.
With the wind behind them in the second half Keswick seemed rejuvenated, coming close to scoring on both sides of the pitch and winning their own put in and against the head in the scrums, despite being pushed back by a heavier pack. They also continued to win against the head in the line out and used the backs to run the ball wide when they could. Yet another penalty, this time for obstruction, gave Keswick field position, which was followed by an exchange of kicks and good running by both sets of backs. St Benedicts’ inability to win their own line-outs was exposed after 20 minutes when their tap back was seized by Keswick’s Winter for a try, this time converted by Bell to bring Keswick within one point at 13-12. Play for much of the remainder of the match was in similar vein with driving play by the forwards releasing the backs to run the ball wide. With only minutes left the Keswick players backed off when they thought they had an advantage as the ball had hit the referee but it was not given and St Benedicts crossed for a third try, again unconverted.
This was an excellent performance by a generally young Keswick team against strong opposition. It would have been easy, when 10-0 down after as many minutes, to have let their heads drop but the spirit and resilience they showed was excellent. Despite the loss they can be very pleased with their performance.
Saturday will see the 2nd XV away at Ambleside where they will hope to resume their winning ways. The 1st XV are at home against Eccles, who are expected to be stiff opposition. Kick off is 3pm at Davidson Park and all spectators are welcome.