Keswick Rugby Club gained their first point in North One West this season when they earned a try-bonus in their 44-24 defeat at Altrincham Kersal.

But there was disappointment for Penrith as they lost more ground on the leaders with a 28-18 defeat at Burnage.

Keswick had gone 7-0 behind on five minutes and, four minutes later, they conceded a second.

Keswick made it 12-7 with a converted try on 13 minutes after Harry Vaillant made an excellent run and was able to make the last pass to Lewis Bell. He converted his own try.

By half-time, however, the home side had pulled clear at 29-7.

But credit to Keswick who won the second half 17-15 with their best half of rugby so far.

The second period started well for Keswick with Ryan Weir making a long run before sending in George Holme for an unconverted try.

Keswick then had a man carded and, taking advantage of the extra man, the hosts scored two more tries.

On 63 minutes, a line-out from a penalty was mauled to the line for Altrincham’s eighth try. Keswick rallied and, when the ball was passed to Weir on the 22, he evaded three tackles to run 80 metres and score an unconverted try.

Then, in the last minute, captain Aaron Thompson picked up at a scrum before offloading to Weir who evaded two tackles to score under the posts. Bell converted.

Away to Burnage, there was a good start for Penrith, with Fraser Nicolson landing an early penalty.

After the home side levelled, Nicholson restored Penrith’s lead with his second penalty.

It became 6-6 at half-time with a second Burnage penalty and there was little between the sides.

It was Burnage who scored the first try of the second half, but Penrith came back to lead with a converted try.

From an attacking line-out, the forwards set-up a maul from where George Graham spun off and Ross Jackson took the pop pass to make the line. Nicolson converted.

The lead didn’t last long as Burnage came back with a converted try and, when a rare clean line break by the home centre set-up their third try, it was game over.

With only five minutes remaining, Burnage scored again but Penrith had the last word when Nicholson scored his second try after Andy Muir, on debut, had put in a strong run in the inside centre channel.