Keswick Falcons played their second competitive game at Blaydon but couldn’t follow up their initial win against Penrith.
It was a tough test against a more experienced side as the home club’s Red Kites won 38-15.
However there were a number of positives for the Keswick coaches as the squad is still very much in its infancy.
The match had started with some positive first-up tackles against a hard running Blaydon squad.
However, there were a couple of mishaps in getting the line set quick enough which allowed Blaydon to sneak around the edges for the first try of the game under the sticks.
Keswick responded with a quick line speed defence and applied enough pressure to force errors in their favour which allowed fly-half Lilly Hodgson to make a quick break from some nicely planned play for a well-deserved try.
The game ebbed and flowed and it was Blaydon who scored the next try, which was countered by another line break from Hodgson from inside her own 22. She beat several defenders on a sprint which was finished in the far corner.
Keswick produced some great forward play from Zelia Clash, Lucy King, Leanne Grave and Ellie Winter, as they showed great technique for securing and protecting the ball.
They also made some strong runs to gain valuable yards into the Blaydon half.
Molly Coldham, played out of position at inside centre, produced some solid carries with the ball through the middle and rarely let anyone past her with some outstanding defending.
The second half re-started in Keswick’s favour with their continued quick line speed and strong tackles a feature across the pitch.
Keswick pinned Blaydon in their half for quite some time and a well-placed kick from Hodgson paid off as she followed-up to complete her hat trick.
Captain Leanne Grave was able to spot gaps in the Blaydon defence and made vital yards which helped keep the home side inside their 22 for some time.
Gradually though Blaydon came more into the game and although Keswick’s discipline was superb, they were beaten by tired legs and match fitness.
That was a predicable outcome when playing with no available substitutes and in the last 15 minutes Blaydon scored the majority of their points.
Nevertheless it was a positive performance from the Falcons in only their second-ever game.
