Keighley Under 9’s v Skipton Under 9’s at Keighley - Game 2

Squad
Jack Rodborne
Harry Gould
James Field
Tom Richardson
Zac Scott
Joseph Myers
Keir Welch
Aaron Wilson
Joss McArthur
Lennon Curr
Kian Saunders
Alex Womersley
Harvey Bird
Austin Flaherty
Callum Hand

Game 2

Game 2
Keighley made several changes for Game 2 as is their normal way but as Skipton were below strength it was agreed by the Coaches that if required, Keighley players could don Skipton colours in order to keep the match fluid.
It became quickly apparent that the efforts put in by the Skipton players in the first game would be telling in the second with the fresh Keighley players noticeably more mobile.
Harry Gould, rested for game one, quickly showed his strength and pace when he stole the ball from Skipton hands but was forced to pass under pressure within a minute of the start. The ball collected by Rodborne was quickly recycled to Womersley who outpaced the Skipton back row to score in the corner.
Keighley (1) 5 – Skipton (0) 0 – 1 minute.
Keighley then took control of the game making most of the play and tiring Skipton players with Scott and Rodborne particularly effective in the tackle.
Despite their apparent dominance Keighley struggled to put more points on the scoreboard and panic ball under pressure repeatedly gave Skipton the chance to capitalise.
However on 5 minutes Gould stole again and powered into the corner leaving the Skipton defence trailing for Keighley’s 2nd try.
Keighley (2) 10 – Skipton (0) 0 – 5 minutes.
With injuries to key Skipton players Curr took over for the visitors at Scrum Half and was immediately involved in some fluid moves with Skipton making yardage into the Keighley half.
Keighley impatience led to a Skipton scrum for a forward pass but they were unable to break through the home defence.
On the counter, Womersley was forced into touch on the 5 yard line by Curr (playing for Skipton) making a try saving tackle but from the resulting lineout the Skipton defence gifted Rodborne the ball and he touched down in the centre under pressure from desperate Skipton players.
Keighley (3) 15 – Skipton (0) 0 – 10 minutes.
Half Time - Keighley (3) 15 – Skipton (0) 0
With the introduction of Joseph Myers and Tom Richardson after half time and with Callum Hand making his first competitive appearance, Keighley again took the play to Skipton and with quick straight ball, Hand made his mark by jinking over into the right corner to score his first try for Keighley.
Keighley (4) 20 – Skipton (0) 0 – 11 minutes.
The visitors pressed hard from the restart and pinned Keighley to their own try line but the Home sides’ size and strength held up and when the ball was released Keighley let the ball do the work, quickly moving from flank to flank and the ever-industrious Scott found Curr with enough space to slip through the Skipton defence to score.
Keighley (5) 25 – Skipton (0) 0 – 13 minutes.
Skipton played with great heart and didn’t give in but the power of the Keighley forwards was telling and when Player of the Match Womersley stole once more and muscled his way over the line to score Keighley’s 6th try the game was all but over.
Keighley (6) 30 – Skipton (0) 0 – 14 minutes.
Keighley continued to pepper the Skipton try line but the visitors held their form and occasionally broke clear. But on 16 minutes, a spilled ball was grabbed by Gould who powered over for his second of the Game.
Keighley (7) 35 – Skipton (0) 0 – 16 minutes.
With 4 minutes remaining Field replaced Bird to put on Skipton colours. Despite their best efforts the visitors couldn’t halt the Keighley onslaught and from another loose ball in the centre Curr scurried into the corner for his second try of the Game.
Keighley (8) 40 – Skipton (0) 0 – 17 minutes.
Keighley played out the last 3 minutes at a canter with Scott going close but putting a foot into touch next to the line but they didn’t stop scoring when Gould stole again to touch down over the line in the centre.
Keighley (9) 45 – Skipton (0) 0 – 19 minutes.
For the final play of the match Skipton pushed hard and almost made the line but when Womersley jinked out of defence on his way to the Skipton line, Field made a last ditch try-stopping tackle robbing him of a certain 3rd try!
Final Score - Keighley (9 Tries) 45 Points – Skipton (0 Tries) 0 Points
Keighley Scorers: - Womersley 2, Gould 3, Rodborne 1, Hand 1, Curr 2,
“We weren’t at our best today” commented Keighley Coach Neil Scott. “Though the score suggests a comfortable win, Skipton fought well and played their part in an entertaining game, out-rucking us at the breakdown. Looking forward, we have a stern test next Sunday against both Wharfedale and Yarmbury so we’ll need to work hard on the training pitch this week” he added. “However a good win, well fought and not quite as one sided as the second game scoreline would suggest”.