The Firsts ran in six tries to nil winners wearing their pink Ladies Day shirts. The late change came at the request of ref Will Lacey who felt there was too much of a clash with Keswick's blue, teal and yellow strip. Unfortunate for the sponsors of the new strip who will now have to wait until the Morpeth game to see it in action. At least they had their official team photos taken in the new strip before kick off.

Regardless, and after a nervy start from both sides, West set about continuing where they left off in the league last season. - the last defeat was in March 2022.

The first try came after ten minutes, following great work in midfield from Ollie Webster and Jack Angus. They knocked holes in the visiting defence with good hands sending Max Tennant in at the left corner. A tricky conversion for new kicker Matt Siddle, but he nailed it

Unfortunately, he blotted his copybook with his next attempt after Keswick had reduced the arrears from a penalty in front of the posts.

Sidd was offered the same opportunity after Painter got his first of the afternoon. Davy Heckles, playing at inside centre, kicked some great penalties into the corners and, from a line-out he created after 25 minutes,  Angus was quick to catch and drive his way to the line. He was stopped with a high tackle and Painter was quick to tap and go over between the posts to give his side a nine point lead.

West's next try also came from a line-out. This time it was from a Keswick ball that was overthrown with the lively Adam Hutchinson gratefully gathering to go over from close range with Sidd's conversion wide.

It gave  West a two score lead at the break. However, there was some rejigging to be done.

Jay Corbett had come on for a limping Ollie Webster and promptly forgot about the new high tackle rule and was back on the touchline for ten minutes. Then Ollie Connolly took a knock as he made a tackle and had to be led from the field - he is likely to miss the next few games as a result.

With Will Hilditch on at full back and looking sharp West continued to take the game to the Cumbrians. Painter again taking an opportunity from close range to power over for the bonus point try.

With their tails up West then scored a beauty. The break came from their own half with Linighan making ground up the middle with quick ball to the right finding Chris Atkins on the wing. He galloped up the touchline to outpace the defence and was able to run round behind the posts (above) where  Davy Heckles  took on the kicking duties and duly obliged.

Hilditch looked like he may also go all the way after racing up the same wing,   but he was tackled just short of the line. He then popped up on the opposite wing to combine cleverly with Tennant to create the hat-trick try for the skipper. Heckles taking the score to 36-3 as the game entered the final quarter.

There was no further score, but there was plenty of incident with Painter and Keswick second row  Aaron Thompson sin-binned for some pushing and shoving on the touchline. Debutant Sam Knight (left)  had grown into the game alongside Heckles and the 18-year-old  almost got the score he deserved. Collecting some 35 metres out he slalomed his way passed three defenders. With the clubhouse terrace faithful urging him to get over  he was tackled just short, agonisingly losing control of the ball as he stretched to touchdown. It won't be long before he gets his first try in league rugby. West continued to look for more tries, with the pressure resulting in a red card for Keswick hooker James Hinkley for striking out at Jay Corbett after a tackle close to his own line.

Five points on the first day and preventing the opposition from crossing the whitewash was all the could be asked for. The injury to Connolly is a blow as we enter a few weeks where a few lads will be unavailable. However, with the likes of Sam Knight grabbing their opportunity, together with the fitness of the squad, it looks like Level 6 should hold no terrors.

West: Matt Siddle, Lewis Scott, Sam Knight, Davy Heckles, Max Tennant, Ollie Connolly, Ryan Painter (capt), Jack Angus, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Adam Hutchinson, Ollie Webster, Will Corbett, Jake Linighan, Isaac Robinson, Chris Atkins.

Reps (all used); Liam Pennick, Will Hilditch, Jay Corbett.

Tries: Painter (3), Tennant, Hutchinson, Atkins.

Cons: Siddle (1), Heckles (2).

Yellow: Jay Corbett, Painter.

MoM: Heckles.

Keswick: Dan Craghill, Ryan Weir, Ben Metcalfe, George Holme, Dan Price, Kieran Mewse, Jack Thompson,  Jamie McKenzie, Dan Allaker, Mark Trow, Aaron Thompson, Lewis Bell, Stephen Moss.

Reps (all ued); Dom Maguire, Henry Etisoy, Ben Clark.

Pen: Mewse.

Yellow: Aaron Thompson.

Red: Hinkley.

MoM: Craghill.

Referee: Will Lacey (Durham Society).

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