Keswick secured another win in Regional 2 North to cement their second place in the table thanks to a last-minute penalty goal from Kieran Mewse, writes Ben Challis.
The 41-44 win over Durham City RFC win came on the back of an opening penalty goal from Mewse just two minutes in, and then, with his debut Regional 2 North tries, a brace for Frazer Murray (on 5′ and 76′), and tries from Ollie Clark (28′), Ally Hewett-Smith (36′), and Grant Reid (56′ and 67′), with Mewse adding four conversions and the final winning penalty goal when the scores were level at 41-41 with two minutes left on the clock.
After the match, head coach Garry Holmes said: “As always Durham is an extremely tough place to go to, and Durham play a fast, expansive brand of rugby, have the ability to score lots of points, and have been in contention of a win in all their four previous losses.
“Our Osprey Colts played before us and put on a fine show in a great game, and there is some real talent coming through.
“We started well, with an early penalty and then a converted try. However Durham managed to wrestle their way back into the game.
“We showed some really good resilience throughout the game, finding a way to change momentum back into our favour on multiple occasions.
“The growth of the whole squad showed through, with George Attwood making first appearance in Regional 2 North for two years.
“Peter Weightman and Jamie Wilson both had big games and they were both recognised after the match by our opposition, although any of our 18 players could have shared in that recognition as every single player had big moments in the game.
“A fourth win in a row puts us in a great position in the League table and shows just how well our squad are learning to deal with pressure situations.
“At 41-41 in the dying moments, our players showed really good focus to clear our line and force a turn over, and then execute an opportunity to score. It was a really well taken win, but as ever we have lots to work on. We now look to take advantage of our game in hand by taking on Morpeth at home on Saturday.”
In other results in the league, table toppers Northern maintained their 100% record with a 43-24 win over fourth placed Sunderland, and third placed Percy Park had a 36-22 home win over Upper Eden who are now eighth.
Aspatria slipped down into 10th place in the table, beaten 38-19 away at 11th placed Guisborough and West Hartlepool slip to fifth, beaten 23-40 at home by sixth placed Morpeth.
Wigton’s miserable run of form continued, losing 64-22 to seventh placed Consett and they prop up the table in 12th spot.
