Keswick travelled to Percy Park who were riding high as unbeaten Regional 2 North leaders with no uncertainty of the challenge that lay before them.
It was a gallant effort in a 31-12 defeat and the Keswick performance was really worth a tangible reward although not to be.
Their start was phenomenal, as confident and assured they took the game to Percy Park and completely dominated the opening exchanges.
Strong line-outs and scrummage gave the platform for decisive back play that really took the game to the league leaders.
Keswick had all the field position for the first 15 minutes and it was only a penalty that relieved the pressure on Park and allowed them to venture into the Keswick half.
It was therefore somewhat against the run of play when Percy Park opened the scoring. Their huge pack just gained the upper hand while John Addyman was having treatment for a blood injury releasing their super quick backs to score in the corner.
Undeterred Keswick hit back soon after the re-start with good offensive tackling which secured the ball in the Park half
The visitors built their response patiently with great work by the forwards setting Ryan Weir on a half break from which he fed Carl Smyth to score. Steve Holloway converted and Keswick led 7 5.
Percy Park came back strongly and Keswick defended resolutely, with good tactical kicking and superb tackling again giving the league leaders a tough time.
Forcing Park errors deep in the Keswick half George Holme collected the ball and made a terrific break, beating numerous defenders to release Danny Price who sprinted 30 metres to score in the corner for an unconverted try..
As expected Percy Park came back strongly and some Keswick indiscipline allowed them to pressure the Cumbrians’ line.
This eventually led to Park’s influential fly-half putting in a superb cross field kick into the winger’s hands for him to score in the corner. The conversion levelled the scores.
Unfortunately Keswick could not hold out the classy Park side before half time as a catch and drive from their monstrous pack gave them a 17 12 lead at the break.
Despite Percy Park’s obvious class Keswick were not overwhelmed but an injury to the influential Mark Trow meant a pack re-shuffle.
Keswick continued to press but Park started to show their class with their experienced pack providing great ball to allow fast backs to spread the game and score wide out for a converted try to increase their lead.
Once again Keswick responded and had huge elements of the possession but try as they might they could not break the resolute Park defence
Losing Olly Macpherson to a knock was an additional challenge for Keswick as he had been superb in both attack and defence and Park used the possession they had to spread the game wide once again to score a well worked back line try to extend their lead to 31-12.
Keswick did not give up and every player gave their all to try and get something from the game.
Their performance deserved to bring something home but it wasn’t to be against class opposition who will surely go close to winning the league.
