Keswick edged home 11-10 in a hard-fought Cumbrian derby with Upper Eden in Regional 2 North.
They were two very equal sides, and perhaps the fairer result would have been a draw but in sport, life can be cruel.
This was a greatly improved performance from the Pennine Park men who had been held 10-10m by Cockermouth the previous week and felt hard done by to lose a game which they dominated in the second half.
On a clear bright day, both teams observed a minute’s silence prior to kick off to commemorate Armistice Day.
The two sides tested the opposition’s defence in the early exchanges, with both holding, which indeed was an underlying feature of most of the match.
It was clear that Keswick ‘s intention was to move the ball wide, but Eden’s excellent defence, with Rupert Civil and Josh Winder to the fore, was equal and nullified the attacks.
After some 20 minutes of intense rugby, with both sides continuing to neutralise each other, Keswick were awarded a penalty that was within kickable distance and Kieran Mewse successfully converted.
Keswick were 3-0 up in what was proving to be an extremely close contest, and this remained the score until half time. Credit to Keswick for coping with having a player sin binned during the half.
Eden’s set piece scrum was under pressure and a series of penalties were awarded to the opposition. Will Birkbeck intercepted a ball in his own half and made good progress into the home side’s territory, He was supported well by Rob Dent and as Keswick scrambled in defence and infringed at the breakdown, they received that yellow card.
Eden elected to kick for the corner and won the ensuing line-out to feed the backline quick ball, but the ball was knocked-on and Keswick were allowed to regain possession.
Mark Tyson came on to replace the injured Ollie Bennett, making his first team debut and he was quick to put his mark on the game with some excellent defensive tackles and also gained good ground with the ball in hand in attack.
Good work at the breakdown from Fin Rose and Winder following the restart gave the visitors a penalty and the opportunity to kick deep into the home team’s 22.
Good line-out ball gave Eden an excellent platform to attack the Keswick line.
The home team conceded several penalties in the red zone and a quick short ball to Sam Birkbeck saw him break the defence to score under the posts with Ollie Rose converting.
As the match moved into the final quarter, Keswick pushed Upper Eden back into their 22 metre area, and after a lot of effort against stern defence, the opposition having a man sin-binned, and a missed penalty from almost in front of the posts, Keswick’s James Hinckley managed a much needed push over try.
The conversion was unsuccessful, but Keswick had regained the lead, albeit by a single point at 8-7.
The home team continued to attack the Eden half but solid work at the breakdown from Fin Rose and Andy Major thwarted their efforts. The ball was fed to Matthew Brass who kicked an excellent 50-22 to the home team’s five 5 metre line.
Eden were clinical in the line-out and fed the ball down the backs. Keswick were offside in the middle of defence and Ollie Rose kicked the penalty to regain the lead 8-10.
It left left Keswick desperately fighting to apply pressure for a score in the final minutes and indeed seconds.
Then it happened, the drama levels shot off the scale, with the referee awarding Keswick apenalty in the final move of the match.
Mewse stepped up to take the kick, which was out wide and some 40 metres out.
Having recently missed a “sitter” almost in front of the posts, his confidence levels must have been low, however he didn’t disappoint. The final kick of the match went straight through the post, Keswick had won by a single point 11-10 and Mewse was now a hero!
