2012-01-21 The Raging Bull Shield Keswick 2nd XV 36pts v 17pts Vale of Lune 4th XV
Vale’s 4th XV entered the 2nd Round of the Raging Bull Shield Competition on the back of a tight Home win against Tarleton. The Keswick side had come away from Vale earlier in the season with a victory secured late in the second half.
Riding high in Division 4 North the Vale lads knew they were in for a hard game. Heavy rain had rendered the Keswick Club pitches un-playable and the game was switched to the local school playing area. In fact this field was in pretty good condition.
Keswick played with a strong wind to their backs and were to make intelligent use of this advantage in the first half. The wind blowing towards a cloud covered Skiddaw, is there a more picturesque setting in the country with just the top of Saddleback visible in the distance. Keswick with a side full of youth and a smattering of experience were full of pace and with the wind advantage were taking the game to this spirited Vale XV.
Vale were clearly on top up front and it must be said not many sides have overcome the Vale eight throughout the current season. They are well organised, producing a tight well constructed scrummage and their support at the lineout is of text book quality. In the loose they drive as an eight and in these phases were outplaying the Keswick eight.
Outside the forwards they have experience in abundance but playing into the gale force wind was causing problems and some probing accurate kicks from the Keswick half backs, and their inside centre, were continually pinning the Vale back on their line. Paul McCalliater at full back was continually put under pressure but some great fielding and no mean tackling was helping to keep Keswick out.
Having said this they scored after some ten minutes, and increased their total at intervals. With ten minutes to go to the half time whistle it seemed that the Vale side were within reach with the wind at their backs in the second half. Not to be, a further two scores took the Keswick side to what appeared to be an insurmountable total..
Vale had played the first half to the conditions, tight driving forward play moving up the field, but any lapses in concentration were punished by accurate kicking in the conditions or simply moving the ball wide by the pacy Keswick three quarters.
At the turn round it soon became apparent that the gap was going to be too large. The Vale XV never gave up, - What a spirit has been built in this side by the Skipper and his support, but also with the support of the lads that are with the side week in week out Home or Away. At one stage it appeared they just might get near the Keswick score but another score by the Keswick lads clearly took the game out of reach.
From my part it was great to once again be visiting the Keswick Club, memories of visiting this Club are filled with pleasure !!
The Vale Squad display the spirit in their side along with their dedicated supporters !!!
F.S.
