Harvey Bird
Lennon Curr
Bobby Darbyshire
Alexander Feather
James Field
Harry Gould
Will Halliday
Leon Hobson-Sheriff
Callum Humphris
Ethan Lawrie
Joss McArthur
Jack McHugh
Joseph Myers
Thomas Richardson
Jack Rodbourne
Freddie Seavers
Zachary Scott
Luis Spragg
Keir Welch
Aaron Wilson

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Headline – The Spoils of War!

Aireborough v Keighley

For almost 3 seasons the short Tournament Game has not suited Keighley’s style of play, more adept at wearing down the offence with their strong forward line and not as suited, despite extremely mobile backs, to the explosive style of play needed to control 10 minutes of high energy Rugby.

However, today would prove to be a turning point in their game.

Against a mobile Aireborough side who beat them in their own home Tournament, Keighley received and then simply turned on the power with Ethan Lawrie popping the ball outside to Leon Hobson-Sheriff who powered his way through a static, mesmerised ‘Borough defence to score in the right corner in the opening seconds.

That move set the standard for what was to follow as Keighley dominated in all areas scoring almost at will against dogged ‘Borough defence that was no match for Keighley’s controlled aggression and accurate ball play across their back line.

With Freddie Seavers at Scrum Half and Keir Welch at No.8 bossing every scrum, led from the front by Jack Rodbourne, Keighley played some adventurous Rugby with good distribution out wide to James Field and Aaron Wilson whose speed on the run had ‘Boroughs defence in all sorts of problem.

Keighley’s pressure on the break closing down the ‘Borough defence forced their opponents into handling errors and tries in quick succession from Zac Scott, Jack McHugh, Rodbourne and Wilson put distance between the two sides until the final play when Lennon Curr jinked through to complete a comprehensive win.
Aireborough 0 – Keighley 30 – Full Time
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Keighley v Skipton

Keighley overpower a game Skipton side

Buoyed after their first match victory, Keighley started the second game against local rivals Skipton at a frenetic pace. Still winning in the scrums, Keighley’s pack took their rucking & mauling game to Skipton with Joss McArthur and Harvey Bird excelling in the maul and Lawrie and McHugh searching for defensive frailty.

Within 2 minutes of the start Keighley were camped near the Skipton try line and despite resolute defence from Skipton, Seavers again controlling the scrum, spotted a gap on the blind side and whipped through to score.

From the re-start, Lawrie cleaned the ball and made good ground before laying off to Scott who was taken down on the run. The ball dropped for Curr who with ease jinked and reversed through the Skipton defence to score again.

Keighley didn’t have it all their own way and Skipton were starting to play intelligent rugby across the back and for once, Keighley’s forwards were caught flat footed as quick turnover ball from a ruck allowed Skipton to play across the line for their speedy Full Back to score in the left corner.

This only served to galvanise Keighley and after having 2 tries (Field and Scott) disallowed, Curr again drifted across the Skipton defensive line to score.

Keighley rotated players for all positions and continued to dominate in the scrum with Luis Spragg playing Hooker and Harry Gould at Prop illustrating that Keighley do have genuine strength in depth in all positions and the inclusion of Will Halliday at Inside Centre bolstered Keighley’s options in both attack and defence and with Tom Richardson’s scurrying pace and newbie Alex Feather’s determination on the run, they controlled the final few minutes with tries from Lawrie and then Full Back Bobby Darbyshire’s mesmerising run sealing victory.
Keighley 25 – Skipton 5 – Full Time
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Keighley v Bradford and Bingley Bees

But…sterner tests were yet to come!

Games between these 2 clubs had become more competitive over the seasons and this was to be no exception. Bees, fully confident after their own 25-5 beating of Skipton, took the game to Keighley but neither side dominated and both illustrated how tough and competitive a game Rugby can be even at Mini level with both packs trading plays.

Keighley playing down the slope were held back by concerted Bees pressure but were patient in the rucks and started to gain territory, putting Bees on the back-foot. When Lawrie made a break on the left he was held up by Skipton forwards and from the ensuing maul Rodbourne in typical marauding style crashed over to open the scoring.

Play was then stifled in mid-field but the re-introduction of a motivated Joe Myers proved decisive as his steal from another maul and power run to touch down in the corner sealed the game for Keighley.
Keighley 10 – Bradford and Bingley Bees 0 – Full Time
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Keighley v Ilkley

Never count your chickens!!

Despite having only managed to draw against both Aireborough and Bees but having beaten Skipton, Ilkley entered this game as underdogs. However much against expectation, a mobile, game Ilkley squad, mindful that a good win could put them into the final, took the game to Keighley and traded play for play against the group leaders.

Although they lacked penetration to move through Keighley’s front line, Ilkley’s tackling and resolute defence meant that Keighley were repeatedly repelled and despite a disallowed try by Seavers, who was over the dead ball line, neither side really threatened to score and both shared the spoils.

A great evenly matched game.

Keighley 0 – Ilkley 0 – Full Time
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Bradford and Bingley Bees v Keighley

The FINAL countdown!

Much the fresher team, having had a 30 minute break, Bees attacked strongly from the off and played hard, determined to reverse the earlier result.

The game ebbed and flowed with both sides intermittently gaining ground in the centre of the pitch but neither able to capitalise or take advantage of turnover ball as there was none. Both packs stood firm and both sets of backs failed to find chinks in either’s armoury and despite several break from each side, defence was the winner as both teams ground out a fantastically entertaining full-on draw to take the game into “golden try” territory.

Bees playing downhill for the first half of extra time looked much the more positive against a now tired looking Keighley squad but their line held firm, repelling wave after wave of sustained Bees pressure and when the roles were reversed at half time, Keighley repaid the pressure with some fluid moves along the flanks by Callum Humphris, Wilson and Field which Bees were happy to resist.

Final Score – Bradford and Bingley Bees 0 – Keighley 0

A great game – fully contested by two fully committed sides and played in the right spirit with no holds barred. Congratulations to both Keighley and Bees Squads for completing a great day of rugby with a fitting competitive final.

Keighley WIN having beaten Bees in the Group Game
Keighley scored more points
Keighley scored more tries
Keighley conceded less tries

TABLE Played Points Tries For Tries Against
Keighley 4 10 13 1
Bees 4 7 9 5
Skipton 4 6 7 11
Ilkley 4 3 3 5
Aireborough 4 1 2 12

Backs – Collectively won and shared by all Backs for great performances.

Forwards – Ethan Lawrie for his big hits.

Parents Player – Jack McHugh.

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Coaches Comments
After last weeks’ disappointing result against an extremely capable Wharfedale Squad it was satisfying to come here today and compete for every single ball. Our defence was outstanding, (we missed only 1 tackle throughout the Festival) today against some very mobile offensive lines.

Every player in the Squad deserved the reward today for focussed determined, passionate, aggressive Rugby and played the games exactly as we have been working on in training.
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GMF – 23/10/12

Match details

Match date

Sun 21 Oct 2012

Kickoff

09:30

Team overview