Keswick Falcons 17 Penrith Panthers 12

Rain through the morning on Sunday, which resulted in standing water on the Davidson Park pitch, meant a last minute change of venue for Keswick Falcons’ first full contact 15-a-side match on Sunday against Penrith Panthers, the venue having to be moved to Penrith’s Winters Park 4G pitch. The Penrith stand was at full capacity with what seemed to be mostly Keswick supporters despite the cold conditions and occasional rain. With their shirts sponsored by Sally’s Cottages and their shorts by the Glaramara Hotel, the Falcons had been looking forward to their first game for some time.

Keswick kicked off and in difficult handling conditions the first scrum put in was to Penrith, who found themselves pushed back but managed to get the ball away. Penrith counter-rucking was strong and Keswick found retaining possession after being tackled challenging. However, the line out was better for Keswick and from a free kick for dummying at the line out, Keswick tapped and ran the ball, with Aimee Hogarth being tackled just short but Lilly Hodgson, who was backing up, was able to cross the line for a try, converted by Lucy King, for 7-0 on 6 minutes.

Putting theory and practice into full match mode meant some early errors, such as not retreating 10 metres at a penalty and playing the ball in an offside position, but these disappeared as the game progressed and was made up for by some excellent tackling and strong defensive play. From such a penalty Penrith tapped and ran from within the Keswick 22 but when it seemed likely they would score a crossing offence gave penalty possession back to Keswick.

On 14 minutes Penrith ran the ball right from just inside the Keswick half and their fullback was fast enough to outpace the defence to score under the posts, converted for 7-7. The score reflected the play, with both sides trying to run with the ball and finding the opposition defence equal to the challenge most of the time. However, with 30 minutes gone, a good line out take by Leanne Grave was passed out to Lilly Hodgson in the centre who ran through to score under the posts, this time the conversion going wide, 12-7.

A couple of front row changes for Penrith saw them gain occasional superiority in the set piece, but from a retreating scrum Keswick got the ball to Cheska Horsburgh who made an excellent run before being brought down well into the opposition 22. However, despite having the throw in to the line out 5 metres out Keswick were unable to turn the pressure into points. The final attack of the half was by Penrith and after a thrilling first 40 minutes, the whistle went with Keswick having a slender lead.

Penrith started the second half well, their passing crisper and more accurate than Keswick’s and they became more of a threat at the break down and when running with the ball in hand. Some slick handling by their backs resulted in their second try, on the right, after 45 minutes and with the conversion attempt missing the sides were tied at 12-12. Keswick then found a better rhythm and put together some good attacking phases, to the appreciation of the travelling supporters. From a penalty inside the Penrith 22 Keswick decided to run the ball rather than kick to touch, Lucy King tapping and passing to Leanne Grave who was able to brush off some strong tackling to score on 53 minutes, the conversion falling short and Keswick were back in the lead, 17-12.

For the remainder of the game it was defences that dominated, though both sides put in some excellent runs and with only one score the difference the result could have gone either way. Keswick forced Penrith back across their try line where they touched down for a try line drop out, the ball being caught and run back but ending up in touch. The last few minutes were spent in the Penrith 22 where despite good attacking play, the Penrith defence proved up to the task and the final whistle went on a very satisfying 17-12 victory for Keswick Falcons in their first full contact game.

Thank you to Penrith for providing the opposition and a worthy challenge, as well as for the last minute switch of venue. Next Sunday the Falcons have an away game at Blaydon to play their Red Kites side.