Old Rishworthian Under 9's vs Keighley Under 9's

Squad
Jack Rodborne
Harry Gould
James Field
Tom Richardson
Will Halliday
Zac Scott
Joseph Myers
Keir Welch
Aaron Wilson
Joss McArthur
Lennon Curr
Kian Saunders
Alex Wormersley (Played for Keighley Under 10’s)
Austin *****

Match Report
Keighley were quick out of the blocks in a game that looked from the outset to be evenly balanced with both teams apparently eager to run and pass with equal commitment.
With 2 quick breakaways from the outset and a determined eventual man of the match Tom Richardson showing his Keighley team-mates how to commit in the tackle, Harry Gould stole the ball and made for the corner only to be forced into touch 5 yards shy of the line by a big tackle from 2 Old Rishworthian players. From the resulting line-out Keighley attacked the Old Rish line and forcing panic ball from the backs who gifted Gould the ball under pressure and his slick pass left Lennon Curr scurrying for the left corner to score Keighley’s first try of the game on 3 minutes.
Old Rishworthians (0) 0 – Keighley (1) 5 – 3 minutes played
Not to be out done, Old Rish showed immediately from the re-start that this was not going to be an easy battle as they flew the ball from left to right, catching Keighley sleeping and they powered over almost unchallenged in the corner.
Old Rishworthians (1) 5 – Keighley (1) 5 – 3½ minutes played.
That was the wakeup call that Keighley needed and they controlled the ball well from the re-start, building patiently from Curr to Keir Welch then to Zac Scott who managed to squeeze through under extreme pressure just into the left corner to restore Keighley’s advantage.
Old Rishworthians (1) 5 – Keighley (2) 10 – 4½ minutes played.
Again Old Rish tried to turn the tide but determined tackling by the Keighley tackle machine Will Halliday making 3 stops in quick succession put the momentum firmly back with Keighley. Good steals by Gould and Joseph Myers let Curr free on the right but a desperate tackle from the Old Rish full back on the corner flag stopped Curr adding to his try tally.
The resulting line out was turned over by Keighley who pressed forward and Gould powered over the try line to score Keighley’s 3 try of the game.
Old Rishworthians (1) 5 – Keighley (3) 15 – 7 minutes played.
Poor handling by Old Rish from the re start presented Jack Rodborne with a free ball but when he was overpowered by the Old Rish forwards, the ball was stolen and re-stolen without any ground made until Halliday fed James Field who made a break for the corner to score Keighley’s 4th try of the half.
Old Rishworthians (1) 5 – Keighley (4) 20 – 8½ minutes played.
Keighley kept up the pressure and were forcing Old Rish to give away the ball but only under massive pressure and determined tackling from Aaron Wilson, Welch and Halliday and from another Halliday tackle, Field was first to the loose ball and in a repeat of his try earlier was over the line but this time had the ball knocked free by the Old Rish defence before he could ground it.
Both teams traded penalties and scrums until the end of the half with neither side giving any ground but with the final play of the half a dropped ball on the Old Rish ¼ was seized by their centre who made for the corner virtually unchallenged.
Half Time Old Rishworthians (2) 10 - Keighley (4) 20
Old Rish started the second half in determined mood and forced Keighley onto the back foot but they managed to resist the advances with again Halliday and Welch putting in seriously powerful tackles which had the Old Rish forwards reeling.
With equal determination Keighley were driving forward and were having the best of the close ball in the rucks but despite pressure from Joss McArthur and debutant Austin ***** and jinking runs from an on-form Welch, Old Rish were not about to roll over. For the next 5 minutes both teams traded attack with resolute defence and cancelled out each others’ efforts.
Gould came to life again and stole the ball from a yet another fiercely contested ruck and he powered for the corner only to be tipped into touch on 3 yards.
The lineout ball went from left to right with both teams again showing great endeavour but with little reward.
On 17 minutes Keighley made some tactical changes, trading speed for strength and 2 ferocious tackles in quick succession by Wilson and Richardson saved Keighley from losing ground.
Keighley kept pressing hard with Kian Saunders and Curr always looking to capitalise on loose ball but finally Gould’s endeavours were rewarded when again he was quickest onto a dropped Old Rish pass to deservedly score his second and Keighley’s 5th try.
Old Rishworthians (2) 10 – Keighley (5) 25 – 19½ minutes played.
Old Rish were not done yet and with the final play of the game straight from the restart, their powerful forwards combined to make the score-line look more respectable and a true reflection of the way that the game was played by powering straight through the centre with Keighley seemingly powerless to stop them.
Final Score - Old Rishworthians (3 Tries) 15 Points - Keighley (5 Tries) 25 Points
Keighley Scorers: - Curr 1, Scott 1, Gould 2, Field 1
“We started well and continued to build with good steady play” commented Keighley Coach Steve Welch. “We were caught napping a couple of time especially on the flanks but we’ll work hard in training to close the gaps”