Keswick were the latest Cumbrian side to feel the full force of Middlesbrough in Regional 2 North.
Like Aspatria and Penrith before them Keswick were second best to a side which has started the season like title challengers.
It finished 65-19 although the score-line does not give a true reflection of the game.
The standard of rugby is much higher than last season and Keswick are adjusting. The never say die attitude of the team in the second half was impressive and this bodes well for future games where the opposition will not be quite the standard of Middlesborough.
The home side were quick out of the blocks straight from the kick-off.
They showed very few weaknesses with a strong pack of forwards and an excellent back line run by the midfield general at stand-off.
Keswick had very little possession for the first 20 minutes and Middlesbrough dominated totally. They quickly established a big lead and a 4 try bonus point.
After 30 minutes a shell-shocked Keswick were down 43-0.
The team was not helped by losing new signings Grant Reid and Mark Trow to injury before half time.
After finally gaining decent possession a slick handling move involving Billy Thompson, Harry Vaillant and George Holme saw Dan Craghill pull back a try in the corner which was converted by Billy Thompson from a tight angle.
Just as Keswick thought they would build-on that success Middlesborough ran in a try to take them into a 50-7 lead at the break.
Keswick’s travelling support feared the worst but were to be proved wrong.
The team emerged from the half-time team talk with a new sense of purpose and started tackling and competing for the ball at breakdowns. It was the proverbial game of two halves.
Stephen Moss and Aaron Thompson led the forward charges backed up by a solid performance in the front row by Dan Allaker.
Captain Holme led from the front with an outstanding defensive display matched by Craghill who made some excellent try saving tackles as a last line of defence.
Shortly after half time a great break by Billy Thompson opened up space for him to feed his brother Jack on the inside to score a well worked try.
Middlesborough came right back to stretch the lead again to 60 – 14 but Keswick were in no mood to give up.
Good territory was gained from a turnover and the ball was moved through slick handling eventually ending with Lewis Bell crossing the line in the corner.
Kerswick then threw everything in to trying to gain a four-try bonus point led once again by Moss driving hard at the Middlesborough forwards.
Unfortunately it was not to be and Middlesborough won turnover ball and broke out once more to score.
It should be noted that Keswick only lost the second half 15-12.
