Keswick on top

Keswick emerged as 19-7 winners over visitors Wigton in this clash of first against third. They did it by the simple method of playing better than the visitors. In the process they demonstrated that their league position is no fluke. They were an enthusiastic, fit, mobile group who plays well as a team. Much of their best play centred around their centres of contrasting physiques; Harry Vaillant and Andy Muir. Their pack were a good unit, but seemed ball winners and providers rather than heavy duty ball carriers.

Keswick definitely made the better start and dominated possession and territory for the first twenty minutes. They moved first phase ball wide quickly, looking to make use of Vaillant’s elusive running. Muir mixed play up with some good tactical kicking. For much of this period Wigton’s defence held firm and managed to draw handling errors. However, Wigton were unable to find the accuracy and composure to play their way out of trouble.

A slack pass was intercepted by Wigton’s Richard Moffatt but slack passing gave the ball back to Keswick. Keswick were trying to put pressure on Wigton at the set pieces to deny the visitors front foot ball.

The opening score came when Keswick got a drive going from a lineout on the Wigton twenty two metre line, building up terrific momentum and bundling over the line for a try. Muir’s conversion gave the home team a 7-0 lead.

However, at least the score brought play back to midfield and Wigton looked to hit back. A penalty enabled them to throw into a lineout 35 yards out. What followed next had a huge bearing on the course of the game.

The ball was won and passed out. Fly half Hanabury combined with inside centre Oliver Lewis to cut the midfield wide open. Lewis picked a great line to receive a short pass and was apparently straight through and under the posts. There was some confusion when the referee blew his whistle to call play back as he had initially been playing advantage to a Wigton. However he instead showed a red card to Wigton prop Kevin Robinson who had tried to persuade an opponent to let go of his leg by injudicious use of the boot. This put Wigton under a severe handicap for the remainder of the game, especially at scrum time.

Ironically Wigton were stirred into action by being reduced to 14 men and most of the rest of the half saw Wigton attacking in the Keswick 22. However, it was the turn of the home defence to show its mettle and keep Wigton at bay. Wigton pressure forced mistakes but the handling precision was not quite there.

Wigton’s hill to climb became more mountainous shortly after halftime. Full back Michael Bunting was underneath a Wigton clearance and started a counter attack down the right hand side. Quick ball was won and slick passing produced an overlap for left winger Bruce Rigby to squeeze over in the corner for an unconverted try.

With the score at 12-0 the remainder of the game was pretty even with both teams having periods of pressure. Wigton refused to go quietly and put everything into their efforts. Sometimes they were perhaps in danger of trying a little too hard and forcing passes. Little slips frustrated attempts to build consistent pressure. Players started to pick up knocks with John Story coming on as a forward replacement barely lasting five minutes before having to depart with a nasty gash on his nose. Wigton had already seen second row Marrs limp off the field in the second half.

However, Wigton were finally able to get some momentum going with a maul that made good progress towards the tryline. Keswick pulled it down and gave away the first of a series of short range penalties. Second row Mark Deans carried hard and was close to scoring, as was Dan Reed shortly afterwards. However the pressure was finally made to pay when Hanabury wriggled his way through a couple of defenders for a try which Reed converted.

At 12-7 Wigton were right back in the match and had a sniff of a grandstand finish to grab a win. Unfortunately it was not to be as Keswick’s next piece of play effectively wrapped the game up. It had an unpromising beginning as a poorly directed pass hit the turf. However, as is often the case, the defence can be as disconcerted as the attackers when such a thing happens. Vaillant reacted quickly, picking up the ball well in his own half and making more progress through defenders than anyone of his slight stature had any right to do. He took play into the Wigton 22, pulling wide defenders in to cover. When quick ball was moved right, winger Ryan Weir was able to score a decisive try. Muir’s conversion was twist of the blade for Wigton, making the score 19-7.

Wigton continued to attack with great determination, Deans, as he had all afternoon, offering himself as a runner time and time again. Individual tacklers fell off both him and Moffatt but support was there to prevent a clean line break.

Going for broke Wigton returned Marrs to the fray for the last few minutes. However, his attempt to help the referee by indicating who was lying on he Wigton side of the ball by use of his studs was not appreciated by the official who flourished a yellow card.

Playing the last few minutes out with thirteen men, Wigton continued to give it their all and denied Keswick a bonus point fourth try. The crowd had enjoyed a dramatic encounter but Keswick had earned their win. Interestingly a number of Aspatrians had infiltrated the crowd and it will be interesting to see what they have learnt when the two teams play in what promises to be first against second.