On the previous outing West lost a Papa Johns semi-final despite outscoring the hosts by four tries to one. However, this 26-24 league defeat was even more painful as West produced one of their best 40 minutes of the season followed by the worst.
Scoring four tries before the break, and turning round 24-7 to the good, the home supporters admitted they were fearing their injury hit side would be at the end of the same 50 point defeat they suffered at Brinkburn back in October. However, their never say die team had other ideas.
West began the game without top try scorer Max Tennant, but got their first try after just three minutes. Skipper Ryan Painter threading a kick through the home defence with Ollie Connolly racing through to touchdown - Matt Siddle getting his eye in early with a successful conversion from out wide on the right.
With the home pack going backwards at every scrum West kept up the pressure with another kick through splitting the home defence. This time it was to the left corner where Sam Knight picked the ball up on his ankles to score and give his side a 12-0 lead after just ten minutes.
Keswick eventually found their feet and reduced the arrears with a quick tap penalty, which saw prop James McKenzie burrow his way over with fly-half Kieran Mewse adding the extras.
Undaunted, West set up camp on the 22 forcing the home side into giving away a series of penalties. The scrum option was taken each time with Keswick eventually taking advantage of a poor pass to clear.
However, they couldn’t stop West’s third try on 18 minutes. Another penalty produced the kick to the corner where Keswick again infringed . A quick tap penalty from Painter creating the space for Will Corbett to force his way over beside the goal posts (above) to set up an easy conversion.
The pressure continued with Linighan and Connolly almost crossing, and yet another penalty seeing flanker Matt Atkinson off to the bin. Desperate defence from Keswick saw a defender tackled behind his own goal line, and from the five-metre scrum Jake Linighane got the bonus point try. Matt Siddle twisted his way through two tackles and was stopped just short but Linighan was in support to touchdown. The conversion taking the half-time score to 24-7.
Keswick had lost a couple of players in the first half to injury, including one with a suspected broken arm, and it looked they would be facing a torrid second half.
Such was West’s confidence that the changes were rung in the West pack early in the half with Tom Robertson coming on at hooker, Nick Bennions in the second row and Jake Linighan dropping into the back row.
While the West pack was adjusting to the new formation Keswick took advantage pushing the scrum back for the first time and immediately looking more confident.
They got their second try shortly afterwards, after kicking a scrum penalty kick to the corner, with replacement Mark Trow driven over and Mewse taking the score to 10-24.
West’s response was to try to step up the pace, but the backs failed to make inroads as a rejuvenated Keswick wrapped up the attackers and with too many passes going to ground.
West did look to have scored on the hour, but Tom Robertson was judged to have been held up over the line.
Then Keswick scored the try of the afternoon with a swift break up the right from centre Ryan Weir who had winger Chris Potter in support and able to race over. Mewse was unusually wide with his conversion attempt, but now his side were within one score of their visitors with 15 minutes left.
West went looking for the score which would make their supporters breathe more easily, and it looked like Andrew Rollins had delivered. Unfortunately, he was also judged to have been held up and Keswick cleared the danger.
As the clock ticked down West were still in the lead while Keswick knew they had one last chance to take the game.
They used a penalty kick to the corner to setup a last attack and, when the ball was moved wide to the right, Will Hilditch spotted an opportunity to intercept just inside his 22. With Ben Reed and Sam Knight covering the outside he went for the ball with both hands. If he’d been successful the winger would have had a clear run down the left wing. However, he knocked on and referee Martin Denvir quickly produced the yellow card.
The next decision was slower in coming, but it resulted in a march to the posts to award the penalty try - understandably greeted with wild celebration by the home support.
This wasn’t the first game that West have lost at the death after having secured the bonus point try by half-time, and hopefully lessons will be learnt. On the positive side the two points keeps West firmly in the top four with eight games to go – five of which are at Brinkburn.
Meanwhile, back home the Stags loaned several players to Seaham for a friendly game which saw West players score most of the tries for both clubs. Stags winning 27-20. Funny old game, all round.
Keswick: Dan Craghill, Joe Allday, Ryan Weir, Jack Tinkler, Chris Potter, Kieran Mewse, Matty Roper, James McKenzie (capt), Lance Lake, Dan Allaker, Karl Smyth, Aaron Thompson, Matt Atkinson, Lewis Bell, James Benson.
Changes (all use): Garry Holmes, Mark Trow, Dan Price.
Tries: McKenzie, Trow, Potter, Pen. Try.
Cons: Mewse (3):
Yellow: Atkinson.
West: Matt Siddle, Will Hilditch, Ollie Connolly, Pater Youll, Sam Knight, Ben Reed, Ryan Painter (capt), Andrew Rollins, Aidan Jackson-Smith, Adam Hutchinson, Will Corbett, Jake Linighan, Connor McLurg, Isaac Robison, Chris Atkins.
Changes (all used): Nick Bennions, Tom Robertson, Lewis Scott.
Tries: Connolly, Knight, Corbett, Siddle.
Cons: Siddle (2).
Yellow: Hilditch.
Referee: Martiin Denvir (Cumbria)