Yorkshire Plate 1st Round Keighley RUFC Under 14’s

Having faced strong opposition in recent weeks Keighley showed that they have learned from those defeats and gave an impressive performance against Barnsley by scoring Ten tries, with the new centre partnership of Ryan Vero and Cameron Bealey Kay both scoring “Hat-Tricks” with Vero actually scoring four tries.

Keighley opened the scoring after three minutes with Louis Holmes breaking free to weave through the defence. The conversion was wide but Keighley scored from the restart with Bealey Kay scoring his first.

Barnsley fought back and scored a converted try, but Keighley responded with vigour, with Keighley’s forwards dominating the play, especially at the scrum where the Front Row of Connor Holmes, Kaleb Shaw & Sam Cubitt scrummaged well and Shaw took numerous balls against the head to launch repeated attacks. Joe Emmott and McKenzie Kirkland worked hard both at the set pieces as well as in open play where their tackling stifled Barnsley’s attacks. Keighley’s Back Row of Elliott Rothery, Billy Todd and Louis Holmes were quick to the breakdown and repeatedly made strong runs into Barnsley territory to put the home side under pressure.

With Halfbacks Jonny Tanner and Reece Holmes moving the ball wide it was Vero who scored next followed by a deserved try for the hardworking Billy Todd just on halftime to see Keighley lead 7-22 at the turnaround.

The second half started in similar manner to the first half with Vero and Bealey Kay both crossing the “Whitewash” in the first five minutes. Keighley launched repeated attacks with wingers Liam King and Bill Cubitt combining well with Tommy Thorpe who as well as being solid at Full Back enabled King and Cubitt to make some stunning attacking runs. However it was Vero who broke Barnsley’s resolve with two more tries in two minutes.

The final score came from Kaleb Shaw who deserved no less for his determination and graft all morning. Bealey Kay added the conversion to end the game.