Wensleydale 14 Keighley 29

Match Report by Tony Burns
Keighley travelled to the beautiful dales village of Leyburn with 4 wins from 4 whilst their hosts Wensleydale had suffered defeat in their first 3 games and failed to take a team to Hullensians the previous week resulting in a 5 point deduction.
Wensleydale started the stronger with good territorial advantage but a series of handling errors and poor passes kept them away from the Keighley line.
The visitors slowly came into the game and a series of powerful midfield drives by forwards and backs took play into Wensleydale territory, leading to a penalty just outside the hosts 10 metre line. Although Browns penalty attempt missed the mark, Keighley continued to pressurize the home defence. After hard yards were gained by Minikin, Parkinson, Wild, Whyte and Prell, the ball reached centre Horsfall who was held up just short of the line but rolled out of the tackle and appeared to have scored. The referee however ruled the tackle was completed and no try given.
Wensleydale kicked deep into Keighley territory where a powerful drive from Booker was recycled from the breakdown to his fellow prop Heys, who made a superb midfield break before feeding Yaxley. Yaxley made good ground before offloading to Horsfall who would not be denied this time and left 3 defenders in his wake as he scored a superb team try to the right of the posts, converted by Brown.
From the restart, Browns return kick made its way to the hosts fullback who’s attempted cross-field kick was superbly taken by Keighley wing Sam Blakely. Blakely made good ground before his inside pass from the tackle found Prell who raced away to score Keighley’s 2nd try, the conversion being missed.
Wensleydale now made some gains into Keighley territory, however once again poor handling led to a Keighley scrum on their own 22 metre line. Although they secured ball and cleared their lines, Andrew “Bozza” Heys suffered what appeared to be a serious neck or back injury during the scrum. Due to the potential danger of moving the injured Heys before an ambulance arrived, play switched to Wensleydales upper pitch for the remainder of the game.
The game restarted with Wensleydale on the attack. Whilst their handling and ball retention improved there was no way through a committed Keighley defence despite a series of penalties against the visitors. Finally the hosts half backs chose to move the ball wide out to the left but the final pass was intercepted by Keighley captain and full back Seeley who raced 70 yards before offloading to Blakely to score in the corner, superbly converted by Brown off the left hand post.
Within 2 minutes of the restart, Keighley secured their four try bonus point. From a midfield scrum the ball reached Prell who broke through the initial two tackles before accelerating away from the defence to score a superb solo effort under the posts, again converted by Brown.

The first half ended with Keighley leading 26 points to 0, but Wensleydale were not going to give up on the game easily. Although the visitors had plenty of possession and territorial advantage early in the 2nd period they could not add to their points tally and a series of errors and penalties allowed the hosts to take play back into their opponents territory. From a Keighley scrum on their own 22 they were surprisingly penalized and from the quick tap and go Wensleydale crossed the line for a try despite the ball carrier appearing to lose possession before grounding the ball.
For the next few minutes Keighley once again had good possession and territorial advantage but a series of penalties took play back into the visitors half. Wensleydale’s set piece was working well and they were improving in all areas. The game was delayed for a few minutes after an ankle injury to a Wensleydale player however, they upped their game from the restart and an excellent move down the right channel eventually saw the ball returning to the left where a series of strong forward drives took the ball to the Keighley line. The ball appeared to be short and a ruck ensued, the referee finally stopping play for what appeared to be an infringement from Keighley no 8 Tom Whyte who was yellow carded. However, as Wensleydale set themselves to take the 5 metre penalty, the referee announced to everyone’s surprise that he had awarded a try which was converted to bring the score back to 26 – 14 in Keighley’s favour.
Soon after the restart, Keighley’s Alfie Seeley was obstructed chasing his own kick resulting in a penalty which was scored by replacement fly half Fin Meegan.
With 8 minutes remaining Keighley held a 15 point lead and despite further pressure from their hosts they held on to their advantage for a well deserved 29 to 14 bonus point win which takes them into 2nd place in Yorkshire Counties Division One. They trail leaders North Ribblesdale by 2 points, who they face at home in 4 weeks time.
An excellent day for the boys from Rose Cottage, and more importantly excellent news from Bozza who was released from hospital later in the evening. No damage to his back or neck but he will be having some time away from “the coal face” whilst he recovers. Everyone at the club wishes him well.
Next week Keighley entertain West Leeds who have lost their 5 opening games. No room for complacency however, as they always give 100% and will be tough opponents.

Match Report by Tony Burns