The third derby game of the season between Cockermouth and Keswick was another entertaining and physical battle.

For the third time Keswick came out on top, taking this Cumbria League Cup-tie 15-5.

The game was to be dominated by hard-working efforts which contained excellent organised defences and many big hits.

This was highlighted by the fact that no tries were scored from ball-in-hand plays.

Keswick started the contest the better team, showing their Cockermouth hosts how to control a game and play through the phases.

The impressive Andy Muir led them around the park and their physical pack provided go-forward options throughout. The Cockermouth side defended well enough, with Matt Thompson a leading figure, but the field position gained by Keswick kept the home side under pressure.

Mark Watson and Ross McGuire tried to give Cockermouth some decent field position with their kicking game but this was counter-attacked by the Keswick full back very well each time.

The first score of the game came after ten minutes when the visitors had been camped deep in Cockermouth territory.

Five metres off the line a clever grubber kick from the base of the ruck had Cockermouth scrambling. Quickest to react was Arron Thompson, showing good pace to get to the touchdown as the ball ended up over the try line and although the conversion was pulled wide the try had given Keswick the important first score.

Straight from the re-start the visitors built their phases again and were awarded a penalty after the Cockermouth players were caught at the bottom of the ruck not rolling away. Muir was successful with the kick to increase the Keswick lead.

Cockermouth came back and were finally able to bring some attacking flair to proceedings but found it very hard to get on the front foot with the Keswick back row quick to the breakdown and gaining turn overs on the floor or slowing the ball down.

The best chance of this period was an excellent miss-pass from stand-off Watson who released centre Peter Wood down the right edge.

The Keswick defence scrambled well and blocked off his pass to supporting winger McKenzie Jenkin.

Unfortunately the inside off-load to supporting full back Matty Henson was not accurate and the chance was not taken. With his side trailing 8-0 at the break the message from Cockermouth coach Chris Wright was that the forwards had to pull away from the rucks and start to hit the gain line at more pace to try and speed up the game.

They responded well and in the 50th minute gained their reward.

After gaining good field position the pack decided to play a pick-and-drive game which created a half chance for scrum-half McGuire who took it well, crashing through Keswick defenders to score.

Watson’s conversion attempt hit the upright but at 5-8 it was game-on.

All three bench players were brought into action at this point from the home side to try and ensure the pace of the game was maintained and add some more ball carrying options. But the game remained tight for the next ten minutes with both defences holding firm and not allowing much attacking options for the respective opposition.

Muir did miss a penalty kick as he tried to extend the Keswick lead but it wasn’t to matter too much.

Shortly afterwards came the killer blow to Cockermouth.

Just on their own 40 yard line Cockermouth decided to go wide and as centre Henson looked to unleash the wide players Keswick centre Fancisco Santa Marino read the play and intercepted the pass to go under the posts and give Keswick a seven point score as man of the match Muir converted.

The last 15 minutes of the game opened-up with the home side going for the try line on numerous occasions by deciding to play quick tap penalties which didn’t test the Keswick defence enough.

Keswick nearly finished-off the game with another try from a driving maul following a line-out but couldn’t get over.