Keswick Rugby Club News

The 1st XV game at home against Millom was called off on Friday due to a water logged pitch.

However the other Cumbria League sides played and the significant result was Whitehaven 13 Netherhall 9 – this opens up the gap at the top for Keswick and puts Whitehaven into 2nd place – with Keswick still to play Whitehaven and Netherhall later this season – it will be a tight race

The 2nd team did play – and what a result 82-0 against Creighton to keep their unbeaten record – regretably I had to spend the day in a meeting in York (oh joy !) so missed the game but from what I have gleaned from Clubhouse chatter tonight – great game – 14 tries – Sam Greenwell 5 tries – no we didnt play a whole load of 1st teamers (I think just Josh Terry and John Helm) – at least 5 players “spotted” that could more than hold their own in the 1st team notably young Tait and not so young Ben Paxton

well done the 2nd team (funny how they win big when Doug Hayler is away skiing !)

Following the heavy rain this week that saw the 1st team pitch under a foot of water the game was played on the 2nd team pitch which whilst heavy held up well throughout the game.

 

A game of 2 halves – Keswick finished the first half 7-0 despite 95% of the game being in the Creighton half. Good defence by Creighton and knock ons by Keswick being the culprits of the low score. In the second half 2 significant things happened – firstly Keswick ran straighter and took on gaps rather than trying mismoves but perhaps more importantly was the clash of heads between 2 Creighton players that left them with severe concusion and unable to play on – the loss of both back players definately helped the creation of more gaps for Keswick to exploit. Jon Hine’s breaks were superb and he found very willing and eager support from David Ray (Swede) with the pair sharing setting each other up for tries and scoring them. By the end of the game all the Keswick players were looking for chances to break that even saw Gary Metcalf turning up unexpectedly on the wing and rampaging down the pitch.

A good win – and a game that Keswick really dominated and saw Creighton only threaten our line on one occassion.

Side line support was good and included the normal crack - It was good to see Peter Bland again but he gave the game away about the last time he had been down to watch by asking when had they stopped giving oranges at half time !

Well done to the players and best wishes to the 2 Creighton lads – hope the concussion doesnt last too long. 

Uncompromising & intimidating sums up any visit to Moresby. You are welcomed into the changing room with a sign thats say “Welcome to Hell” – the wind howls accross the pitch onto the desolation of pitches that have been overrun by gorse and bracken, the grass on the one remaining pitch is designed to slow any speed and the rusting perimter fence and half collapsed “stand” add to the atmosphere. The first tackle is uncompromising and either proceeded or followed by a friendly swinging arm. The first whistle gives the oportunity to start the vitrolic intimidation of the referee by supporters and players alike – I’ve yet to see a referee who is not “swayed” by the hositility – today was no exception and saw the referee constantly subjected to the very worse of language and outrageous commentry without any resulting action.

Still the game – Keswick opened the scoring after a couple of minutes but Moresby used the wind to pin Keswick into their 22 and then the battering rams of their forwards to drive over. A delightful switch kick at the restart saw Jamie McKenzie steal ball and sprint to the try line followed by a hail of abuse directed at the unfortunate Moresby winger who had been deemed to be the cause. Again Moresby probed the wind assisted 22 touch line to score a penalty and try to take the lead 15-10. Keswick replied with a score to end the half 15-15. In the second half Keswick used the wind and the tiring Moresby forwards to good effect to keep Moresby pinned in their half and tries from Michael Branthwaite (I think ?) and Ben Farrell eased Keswick to 27-15.

Every Keswick supporter should experience an away game at Moresby to fully understand and appreciate the efforts and spirit of a team to get a win their !

What of Moresby – they have some very good players – notably their 7, 10 & 15 had great games – they are no doubt a powerful team but I can only recall 3 occasions when the ball went beyond the 10 – my own view is that with a bit more fitness and training and a change of attitude to playing positive rugby rather than trying to score hits on the opposition would make a substantial difference to results.

This was always going to be one of the tough fixtures and the team were superb on the day to pull out this result from the place Moresby call Hell.

 

The Boxing Day & New Year Day traditional fixtures against Penrith saw honours even as Penrith won both games on Boxing day but Keswick recovered to win both matches on New years Day. It was a close run thing that any of the fixtures would take place as  a possible frozen pitch threatened at Penrith and Keswick had to recovered from a foot of water on the pitches over Xmas to dry out for New year.

As always great to see the annual return of Keswick exiles – Graham Oglethorpe looking great for the 2nds on Boxing Day and a New Year 1st team that saw some Duncan Lawrence, Alex Lennard (complete with new Rio Fernidand dreadlocks !) Mat Barton and Adam Blaney (many making him man of the match) for the seconds “Buzz Lightyear” Hayler made his normal storming return allowing Dad Hayler to concentrate on cracking the jokes (debateable if Doug’s jokes are worse than Buzzes handling !)

As always good to see everyone and so many spectators at the matches

Happy New Year – hopefully a good one for Keswick Rugby Club !