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Home Sport

Friendly for Upper Eden and Keswick

by Cumbria Crack
12/04/2022
in Sport
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Lewis Bell on the charge for Keswick. Picture: Robert Folder

It was no surprise when Orrell, bottom of the North Two West League, advised Keswick that they would not be travelling to Davidson Park.

Keswick had been prepared for the call as Orrell had also failed to play their recent league game at Cockermouth.

Fortunately Cumbria League champions Upper Eden, whose match had also been cancelled, agreed to visit for a friendly fixture, which was sponsored by JT Atkinson.

The match was played in four quarters, allowing changes to be made and different combinations tried out. 

Undefeated in Cumbria One this season, Upper Eden had won that league by 19 points and were expected to provide stiff opposition – they did not disappoint. 

Both sides ran the ball but early handling errors reduced the fluidity of play as possession was lost through turnovers and knock-ons. 

Marko Wong scores for Keswick. Picture: Robert Folder.

Apart from the first scrum, Upper Eden were dominant in that set piece and also benefitted in the line-out where Keswick overthrew the ball.

The second time they did this it went straight to an Upper Eden player Matt Brass who drove over from seven metres and near the posts for a try converted by Dan Todd.

Although Keswick lost possession when they staged an immediate response, Upper Eden’s clearance kick was recovered by Marko Wong who ran down the left touchline for an unconverted try.

Changes by Keswick for the second quarter gave the home side scrum dominance leading to a penalty kick to the corner. The forwards were stopped by the visitors and the ball run right before a cross kick left was knocked on and the chance gone. 

However, a strip in the tackle and great run by Christian Sellars allowed second phase play with the ball passed to James Hinkley who made 15 metres to score on the left. Billy Thompson converted.

Upper Eden put together some good attacks into the Keswick 22 but as the second quarter ran down they were reduced to 14 men because of a yellow card.

In the third quarter Upper Eden had an early attack from a tap penalty which got them almost to the line.

James Hinkley heads for the Upper Eden line. Picture: Robert Folder.

From there they recycled for Will Birbeck to cross under the posts for the try which was converted by Todd.

In this third quarter Upper Eden regained the scrum advantage but both sides gave away unnecessary penalties. 

A good run on the right by Keswick was rebuffed and Upper Eden attacked to the Keswick line, where they had the put in at a five metre scrum.

A subsequent penalty gave Upper Eden another opportunity which they took, scoring their third try to the left of the posts through Birbeck to go into a 21-12 lead with Todd’s third conversion.

Another strip in the tackle by Sellars presented another opportunity for Keswick but a tapped penalty was well defended by Upper Eden.

Kicking to clear again put the visitors under pressure once more but the final pass went astray and the quarter ended with no change to the score.

Further changes for the final quarter and a penalty for a high tackle 15 metres out gave Keswick their next score.

Thompson tapped and threw a long pass to Chris Potter on the left for an unconverted try with 14 minutes left. 

Both sides lost discipline as the game ran down and with Keswick marched back ten metres for dissent at a penalty, Upper Eden missed a chance to extend their lead.

Jamie McKenzie about to score for Keswick. Picture: Robert Folder.

Then, as Upper Eden attacked from their own half, a good strip by Joe Quail gave an attacking opportunity but despite touching down in the corner the final pass was judged to have been forward. 

Dissent gave Upper Eden a penalty to clear but their relief didn’t last long as, attacking from a line-out, Jamie McKenzie drove for the line and though stopped initially he was able to power through for an unconverted try to give Keswick the lead again.

The kick-off re-start resulted in an immediate fracas and a yellow card for one player from each side. The Upper Eden one was converted to a red as it was the player’s second of the match. 

A final attack by Keswick on the right, initially came through forward drives before the ball was released to the backs, which allowed Danny Price to score in the corner. It was converted by Thompson to end the game.

Upper Eden showed clearly why they have done so well this season and Keswick were very grateful to them for stepping in so that a game could be played.

It was an outstanding effort by the visitors who play a level below Keswick and only had 18 players to work with over the four quarters – and they included just six first team regulars.

Orrell’s failure to fulfil the fixture gives Keswick five points, keeping them in third position in the North Two West league.

They are eight points clear of Winnington Park who have two games in hand. 

Keswick’s final league game of the season is away at seventh placed Cockermouth on Saturday, April 23.  

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