Keswick produced their best performance of the season in the local derby at Cockermouth when they won 41-12.
It was their first bonus point win of the season and one they thoroughly deserved, dominating for long periods whereas Cockermouth could not put their game together for long enough.
There was a very good turnout to support both sides in what is always an eagerly anticipated local derby and match sponsorship by Mitchell’s swelled numbers further with a good atmosphere for the game.
The game started with both sides playing an open expansive game searching each other out with defences to the fore.
It wasn’t until 20 minutes in that Danny Price put points on the board with a well taken try after a strong running line break by George Holme.
Cockermouth fought back but Keswick’s defence held strong for the next 10 minutes before a breakaway led by Stephen Moss, Keswick’s standout forward of the day, saw him finish the move with a well taken try.
Cockermouth restarted with a long kick which was fielded by Moss who quickly moved the ball out and slick handling by the Keswick backs saw Ryan Weir break free for a length of the pitch return and a try under the posts converted by Kieran Mewse to give Keswick a 0-17 half time lead.
After the half time break, Cockermouth came out of the blocks the quicker and pulled back a score with a well worked move down the wing which ended with Joe Palmer scoring an unconverted try.
From the re-start Cockermouth went on the attack again but when a move broke down in midfield after big hits from Aaron Thompson and James Benson on the Cockermouth attackers, Ollie Macpherson was on hand to pick up and sprint for the score in the corner.
Again from the kick-off a charging Moss and James Benson released Price for a 40 metre sprint to go under the posts for a try converted by Mewse.
The game evened out for the next ten minutes again with Cockermouth pressing and Keswick showing strong defence.
After another Cockermouth move broke down in midfield Price hacked the ball on and controlled it to score his hat-trick try which was converted by Mewse.
Cockermouth never gave up and pressed again this time being successful with a well worked back move which brought a tyry for Ryan Hetherington which was converted by Dan Woodcock.
The game then ebbed and flowed before Dan Allaker, Keswick’s prop forward capped off a fine performance with the final try of the game.
Keswick 2nd team faced a tough home challenge against a bigger Windermere side who ran out 19-12 winners.
Keswick’s try scorers were Ned Barnes and Ben Clark.
