Keswick put in a very good opening day performance in their first Regional 2 North outing, writes Ben Challis.
They secured what was ultimately a comfortable win over Upper Eden, running in four tries from Jamie Wilson, Ryan Weir and a brace from Oli Clark, and with Ben Clark adding a penalty goal and a conversion.
In almost perfect playing conditions with a dry pitch and still but cool air, there was sizeable crowd at Davidson Park with plenty of support for the home side and visitors alike.
The first 10 minutes were end to end, and Keswick fluffed their lines with a couple of fumbles to curtail what looked like excellent scoring chances, and it was Upper Eden who had the first chance of points, but a penalty goal attempt went just wide of the sticks.
Keswick then capitalised on a scrum on the left wing just ten metres short of the Upper Eden try line, and Wilson burst through the Upper Eden defence to touch down, and with Joe Allday missing the conversion it was 5-0 15 minutes in.
Keswick then dominated possession, and whilst line outs were evenly matched and Upper Eden could push Keswick back in the scrum, they couldn’t keep hold of the ball, and on the half hour a runway Danny Price sprinted up the left wing, outpacing his chasers and passed the ball to Weir who charged on, wriggling through a final challenge to touch down.
With Allday narrowly missing the kick, it was 10-0 to Keswick. Two minutes before half time Ben Clark added a penalty goal for 13-0.
In the last play of the half a rare Upper Eden surge up the left wing left Keswick in disarray and and it took a fantastic try saving tackle from Allday to bundle the attacking player into touch to prevent a score, although Allday was injured in the tackle and played no more part in the game.
The second half was almost all played in the Upper Eden half. Again, line outs were won by both teams, and Upper Eden maintained dominance in the scrum, but nothing came of Upper Eden’s possession, whereas Keswick capitalised on their chances.
Keswick’s third try came just five minutes in from Oli Clark who was set up by a lovely offload from brother Ben and then charged some 50 metres to dot down, with Ben converting for 20-0.
There was still plenty of time for Upper Eden to get back into the game but they simply couldn’t break through the Keswick’s defence and were again and again forced onto the back foot, with Peter Weightman putting in a series of powerful charges, and coming close to getting over the Upper Eden try line, and Price, Fraser Murray and Weir always threatening to break through.
Keswick saved the best till last with Clark’s second try as Keswick accelerated some seventy metres down the right wing a series of rapid passes between Price, Weir and Clark, with Clark powering through the final 20 metres and shrugging off three defenders to touch down.
It was 25-0 with 25 minutes left to play but the result was now beyond doubt. Keswick almost added to their tally with a second Weir try after another barnstorming run, but this time the Upper Eden defence hauled down Weir just a metre short of their try line, and in the final minute Wilson had a late charge but was closed down just short of the try line.
Head coach Garry Holmes said: “I’m really happy with the performance. We have something of a new look pack and we knew it would be a tough day against a well drilled Upper Eden pack.
“We moved Peter Weightman into the back row, which seemed to work. along with Ally Hewett-Smith moving to hooker, and we are excited about the potential he has in this new position.
“Jamie Wilson had a man of the match performance showing his attacking prowess as a dynamic ball carrier.
“I thought our young backline had some really good moments in attack and defence. Joe Allday put big try saving tackle just before half time and that gave us a a real boost – it was the difference between 13-0 lead or a 10-7 lead at half time.
“Picking up a try bonus point in the first game of the season is really important for us.
Last season, we only managed to get the bonus points eight times and it took until November 9 for us to pick up our first.
“We will be working on our core skills going forward, getting our timing right in attack, as well as continue working on staying connected in defence so we can nullify attacks more easily. In conclusion, a good first run out, some very good signs, and plenty to work on and develop.”
In Cumbria One, Keswick battled back from a very poor start and a 19-7 deficit at half time to play their way back into their game and hold Egremont RUFC to a 22-22 draw at the final whistle.
The win came on the back of tries from Man of the Match Sam Holt, Joe Quail and John Addyman, with Steve Holloway adding two conversions and a penalty goal.
In the second half Keswick put in some good rugby and a had much improved defence, and almost grabbed the win at Bleach Green but Holloway’s final conversion attempt from the touch line just scraped the wrong side of the post.
This was a good result against a team who will undoubtedly be chasing the Cumbria One title this year, although in less welcome news, the team will be without Christian Sellars for a number of weeks after he suffered a broken arm.
On Saturday September 13, Keswick are away at Aspatria RUFC in Regional 2 North, and in Cumbria 1 Keswick are at home to Carlisle RUFC.
