Keswick earned their first win of the season in Regional 2 North with a brave 16-15 home success against a very good Middlesbrough side.
The home side had started well after defending some early Middlesbrough pressure following a poor collection of the kick-off.
Jamie Mackenzie carried really strongly making huge yards allowing Kieran Mewse to launch the ball deep into the Middlebrough half and relieve the pressure.
With Keswick’s line-out on form scrum half Jack Thompson made a great break, feeding Dan Allaker who put Lance Lake over the try line only for the referee to adjudge him to be held up.
This sprung Middlesbrough into action and their classy back three combined really well from a quickly taken line out deep in their half to combine and set their pacey winger free to score an unconverted try in the corner.
Keswick responded well and strong breaks by George Holme and Oliver Macpherson tested the Middlesbrough defence and maintained good field position.
With Keswick on a penalty advantage strong forward play allowed Kieran Mewse to be released and he beat two men to score under the posts for a well-deserved try. Mewse converted and Keswick led 7-5
Again Keswick failed to deal effectively with the re-start and Middlesbrough capitalised forcing a penalty which was a huge let off for Keswick when the kick at goal drifted wide.
With 30 minutes gone Keswick struck back with a good passage of play taking the game to Middlesbrough forcing an infringement in front of the posts. Mewse duly converted from 30 metres out to increase the Keswick advantage.
The re-start once again allowed Middlesbrough to exert pressure in the Keswick half and with half time looming heroic defence held firm with try saving tackles being made by both Dan Craghill and Karl Smyth.
Once in possession Keswick acted smartly with a huge carry from Mackenzie feeding Macpherson to take Keswick back into the Middlesbrough half where they conceded a penalty. Kieran Mewse stepped up confidently to slot a difficult penalty from wide out to take Keswick into half time 13-5 to the good.
As expected Middlesbrough came back really strongly after the break setting the tone for the second half. Relentless pressure on the Keswick line was rewarded with a catch and drive by the Middlesbrough pack who went over in the corner and it brought them to within three points of their hosts.
A rare Keswick foray into the Middlesbrough half saw a penalty awarded some 45 metres out and Mewse had no hesitation in electing to kick at goal. A finely struck penalty sailed through the posts to extend the Keswick lead to 16-10.
As was the pattern of the game Middlesbrough came steaming back and Keswick were defending constantly. Penalties were increasing against Keswick and it was inevitable that Middlesbrough’s strong pack released their backs to score again wide out. Middlesbrough’s kicker, having an off day, left his side still a point behind.
For the final 20 minutes Keswick hung on, releasing Middlesbrough pressure just enough on occasions to give respite.
Penalties conceded by Keswick mounted and the hard-working Lewis Bell was confined to the sin bin making the task of defending the last 10 minutes even harder.
But defend they did, putting bodies on the line to hold the Middlesbrough onslaught. Debutant Haydn Holmes, showing rapid reactions to an almost certain Middlesbrough try that unsighted the referee, allowed him to carry out of defence.
With John Addyman now yellow carded, a 13 man Keswick held on by the skin of their teeth and ran the clock down to mark a very important first victory of the season.
It may not have been pretty against a class Middlesbrough side who will do well this season but the spirit and belief in this Keswick side nurtured by coaches Garry Holmes and John Crichton is certainly showing through.
