The encounter at Davidson Park on April 7^th was the last league game to be played from their old clubhouse, with work due to start on a new one later this month. Keswick needed to win to avoid relegation and, with Storm Kathleen raging down the pitch from the Derwentwater end plus a big crowd supporting the home team, the odds were stacked against West.

Keswick duly took the game 21-12. Both sides scoring two tries but it was three penalties which made the difference.

In different circumstances that game would probably have been postponed due to the amount of standing water - hopefully the underfoot conditions will have improved considerably this week.

The Papa Johns has not set the rugby world on fire, but it has proved to be an interesting and enjoyable end of season competition for the West players and supporters. Last season we enjoyed the delights of a trip to Didsbury in Greater Manchester followed by a trip to Cockermouth, while this season we actually started with the rare luxury of a home game against Scarborough. It was well attended and produced some excellent rugby in the 34-25 win.

Keswick got through to the semi by beating Kirkby Lonsdale 23-18 at home.

The prize for this weekend’s winners will be a place in the final on Sunday May 12^th. It will be at Mowden Park where there will be a series of Papa Johns Finals starting at 11.a.m and finishing with ours which will kick off at 5.00 p.m. The opposition will be either Olney (Milton Keynes) or Winnington Park (Northwich in Cheshire).

As it’s a Bank Holiday weekend there will be a few absences including Chris Atkins, Isaac Robinson, Tom Robertson and Will Corbett.

On the plus side Jake Linighan is available after his storming return to action against Scarborough and, with seven replacements allowed in the Papa Johns, the excellent performances by the Stags in the County Cup means there are players coming into the squad who are match fit.

Jake will be at No 8 in place of the injured Chris Atkins with Charlie Kay following up on his excellent game for the Stags last week starting alongside him. Jonny Wray also featured will in the County Cup and he’ll partner Ollie Webster in the second row.

All the backs are fit - including Matty Baggs who is over his hand injury and who starts at scrum half. The more  experienced players are starting with the speed merchants Jacob Wood and Sam Knight waiting to make their impact.

There’s also some muscle being held in reserve in the shape of Liam Pennick and Nick Bennions.