Keswick’s forwards proved too much for St Benedict’s in their North Two West clash at Mirehouse.
The visitors finished 34-7 winners to put them in good heart for the weekend visit of second-in-the-table Southport.
Making early use of the wind behind them to clear downfield, Keswick ran the ball when the opportunity presented but 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 seven metres out in front of the posts at which the scrum option was taken.
Pushed back again, the home scrum broke up and they prevented a certain Keswick try by kicking the ball out of the scrum illegally. A penalty try was awarded after only five 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.
The wind dropped and the rain stopped a quarter of the way into the game and much of the play was then in midfield as both sides were able to turn the ball over in the tackle to stymie attacks.
On 30 minutes not retreating ten metres at a penalty gave a kicking chance to Billy Thompson who successfully converted.
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. Stuart Wilson and Gordon Maudling were having big games up-front for the home side, even though the pack was being out-muscled.
They eventually won a penalty five metres out but were 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 at 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.
From the kick-off St Benedict’s won the subsequent line-out and ran the ball right to outpace the defence with Jack Kellett and Jamie Doran linking to put Andrew Middleton over in the corner on 50 minutes. Doran added the conversion.
The wind favoured the home side in this half but they found that kicks deep occasionally went too far as play was brought back.
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 it was charged down by George Holme who was able to cross and score on the left, with Thompson converting.
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 for the bonus point. Thompson converted.
