Understrength Keighley lose their 2nd game in Counties 1 - Yorkshire

West Leeds 24 Keighley 5
By Sam Griffin
A difficult afternoon for Keighley, playing the league leaders on their own turf without three of their senior players, who are on an adventure in the South of France intent on watching England progress in the Rugby World cup. Within minutes of the start of the game some loosely directed Keighley kicks led to a breakout for the home team, and a chance for winger Connor O’Neil to brush off a poor tackle to score in the corner, the difficult conversion was added by full back Keir Breakwell. West Leeds with such an early score were intent on taking advantage, forwards and backs ran hard at the Keighley defence, they gained good field position but were unable to breakdown a well ordered defence. Keighley having weathered the storm put their game together and spent extended periods of time in the opposition half, but were unable to turn the pressure into points through simple errors. As the half progressed both teams competed fiercely but neither were able to maintain possession for extended periods due to good defensive work. Towards the half time whistle a line out deep in The West Leeds half was driven on by the Keighley forwards, with the home teams defence in disarray wing forward Olly Snowden broke away from the maul to score.

The start of the second half was poor, both teams making too many errors. Eventually though West Leeds began to gain the upper hand with full back Breakwell and outside centre Eliah Chitiyo making inroads from broken play. Their efforts earned them a penalty that Breakwell dully converted. Keighley tried their best to move the ball wide and there were some good runs in midfield. However, although Keighley came very close to scoring they were let down by poor control of the ball at the final breakdown, which allowed Leeds to clear their lines. As the game progressed West Leeds with Keir Breakwell directing operations used forwards to take the ball up in midfield in order to create space for the backs, the tactic worked well, centre Chitiyo took the ball on at pace to slip the last defender to score under the posts, Breakwell added the conversion. Once again Keighley rallied and took play deep into opposition territory, the play broke down and West Leeds centre Eliah broke away, the ball was taken on by the back row and finally finished off by Chitiyo who ran through a tired defence to score wide out. The difficult conversion was landed by Breakwell. Keighley in a number of respects were the instigators of their own downfall, they lacked their normal zip and energy and too often poor tactical kicking gave away possession. Although Keighley played well in parts, often due to the link play of veteran outside half Rich Tillotson, they were unable to fully compete with the control of West Leeds who deserved their win. Next week Keighley hopefully with a full complement of players will be at home to Beverley.