The well-drilled Keswick backs began to look threatening and after 12 minutes of midfield exchanges, Burton, the Keswick inside centre, sliced through the middle and went on an arcing run to score wide on the left. An excellent conversion followed.

A few moments later, a very tight offside decision went against the Beckenham defence and the Keswick fly-half added three more points. Worse followed when confusion in midfield led to a loose ball being seized upon by the opposition, with Burton again prominent in the attack that followed, leading to a breakaway try which was also converted to make it 0-17.

From a free kick deep inside their own half, Keswick then scored an excellent try, moving the ball swiftly through the hands and stretching their lead to 22 points.

Just before half-time, a dropped ball in midfield was picked up by the impressive Burton, who swooped in for her second try. The conversion made it 0-29 at the break.

In truth, Beckenham had barely threatened the opposition line and their mistakes had been ruthlessly punished. The Keswick support and staff were in full voice, while the Beckenham supporters knew a special effort would now be required.

The exuberant stadium announcer and DJ wondered aloud whether there would be a response from Beckenham.

Within five minutes of the restart, the answer arrived.

A driving run by Nicole, well supported by her forwards, sent Morgan away for Beckenham’s first try. From the restart, strong carries and sustained pressure eventually saw Leah power over to reduce the deficit to 12-29.

The stadium announcer was getting excited: “Have we got a game on our hands now?”

Beckenham continued to apply pressure with dominant forward drives and composed handling in the backs limiting Keswick’s attacking opportunities. The team from the Lake District were forced into an enormous defensive effort.

An unfortunate injury to a Keswick centre caused a lengthy delay as medical staff attended and a stretcher party assembled. Despite the interruption, Beckenham retained momentum and forward pressure led to a third try, also converted, cutting the deficit to just ten points.

“We really do have a game on our hands…” came the increasingly animated call from the announcer.

Now it was Keswick under pressure and rarely able to escape their own half. Clearance kicks were being gathered and returned effectively, while the Beckenham lineout began to function superbly, with Beth securing a string of important possessions.

An arcing outside break from Morgan gave Toni the opportunity to cut through the Keswick defence for Beckenham’s fourth try, bringing the score to 24-29.

The announcer had now reached fever pitch, every stoppage accompanied by stirring anthems including *Who Let The Dogs Out* and *We Will Rock You* — though sadly no classics from the 1960s.

Wave after wave of blue and gold attack was met with fierce resistance from Keswick, but eventually the pressure told and with ten minutes remaining, Shanie crashed over for a deserved forwards try to level the scores at 29-29.

The intensity never dropped and from another sustained attack, Jas forced her way over for what proved to be the winning score: 34-29.

There were still five minutes remaining and the game remained in the balance. Another injury to a Keswick player led to further stoppage time, with the stadium clock halted at 1 minute 40 seconds remaining. The player was taken off on a stretcher for further assessment and everyone at Beckenham wishes her a swift recovery.

Keswick pressed desperately for a score that would give them a chance to win the game with a conversion, but there was no way through the blue and gold wall.

With possession regained after a scrum, the cry from the stands was “pick and go, pick and go — there’s less than a minute left!”

But this Beckenham side had other ideas.

Instead of winding down the clock, they went in search of another try. Two surging breaks carried play beyond the Keswick 10-metre line as the clock ticked down to zero. The referee finally signalled time, the ball drifting into touch, and the celebrations could begin.

A special day indeed, and a very special performance to crown a magnificent season for the Ladies and their coaching team led by Clev.