A larger than usual crowd turned out to watch the floodlit second team match at Davidson Park between Keswick and Penrith.
The firework display at half-time no doubt attracted some of the younger spectators but support remained strong throughout the evening.
It was Penrith’s first game under the care of new second team manager Chris Watson after a regime change.
Steve ‘Docker’ Reid stepping down after five years at the helm and handing over the reins to Watson who is taking over what is widely regarded as the most difficult role on the playing side in senior rugby at Penrith.
His first game in charge was keenly contested where the result could easily have gone either way before Penrith squeezed home 24-20.
Keswick started much the better of the two side and soon led on three minutes with a well struck penalty from Steve Holloway.
They stretched their lead with a second penalty towards the end of the first quarter and it looked as if it could be a long evening for the visitors.
Penrith slowly got got the upper hand, their set scrummage was much superior to the home side and kept them on the back foot throughout the game.
Penrith’s forwards were able to turn screw and their first score came from a five metre scrum. Tom Dawson and Chris Jackson made inroads before the home side were penalised and Fraser Nicolson was sharp enough to get the penalty taken and snipe over before the home defence was set.
Shortly afterwards Penrith doubled their lead when Nathan Allcock took an interception and ran in from half way outstripping the cover for pace.
They added a third try just before the break with good defence and then a kick and chase to the line when they had turned the ball over. As they stormed the line big Dawson was on hand to force his way over. Nicolson converted all three tries and Penrith led 21-6.
Keswick hit back in stoppage time when a charge- down was taken by Robbie Bland. He made an excellent run before passing to Ben Pepper, who beat a couple of tackles to score a try which was converted by Holloway.
Penrith’s second half didn’t start well with the ball not going ten, then conceding a penalty at the scrum.
Subsequently Keswick reached the Penrith try line but the ball was held up and a goal line drop out awarded.
With their scrum under pressure Keswick had to move the ball quickly and following-up a kick through the defence were first to the ball on the left for a try by Liam Quail which was converted by Holloway.
After 53 minutes it was now delicately poised at 20-21.
With quarter of the match left, Keswick were penalised in front of the posts for not releasing 30 metres out and Nicholson landed what proved to be the crucial points.
Apart from seven minutes towards the end of the first half, Keswick defended well but were matched in that department by an equally determined Penrith defence and found making progress ball in hand difficult.
Keswick had chances in the Penrith 22 but the visitors defended well and just about deserved their victory but it was a close run thing.
