KEIGHLEY GAIN HARD FOUGHT WIN AFTER 4 WEEKS LAY-OFF

Barnsley 14 Keighley 22

Keighley after a blistering start made hard work subduing a big well organised Barnsley team. Within minutes Keighley were on the scoreboard, early possession and some skilled interplay between forwards and backs gave winger Liam Everett the chance to cross in the corner, Alex Brown added the difficult conversion.
The rest of the half was very much a stalemate. Both teams were committed to moving the ball around, although Keighley were on top territorially and came very close to scoring on a number of occasions they were unable to break down a determined defence. The only rewards for their efforts was a penalty for Alex Brown.
As the half time whistle approached Barnsley forced Keighley into playing a close contact game which negated Keighley’s three quarters. Trusting in their forward power Barnsley used their big men to drive play deep into Keighley territory; their efforts were rewarded with a well taken try by winger Wragg, converted by centre Greg Colbridge.

In the second half both teams were intent on open rugby, a style of play which suited Keighley better. Unfortunately not having played for a few weeks they were ring rusty and guilty of trying too hard, which resulted in mistakes and possession wasted through poor kicking.
Eventually, Keighley managed to play with continuity, going through the phases and maintaining possession. In the opposition half excellent interplay between big forwards Sam Booker and Josh Hannah created space for winger Everett to score his second try, converted by Brown. A little later a driving maul from a lineout forced the Barnsley defence onto the back foot; crisp passing along the backs outstripped the cover defence and a try for winger Jack Atkinson.
At the death Keighley with the knowledge that the game was won forced a lineout on the opposition five metre line. A truly awful throw was picked off by a surprised Barnsley player, with nothing to lose they moved the ball quickly, Keighley with the backs set up for attack gave the Barnsley backs the opportunity of space , moving the ball quickly through the hands allowed Chris Peel a well deserved try in the corner, Colbridge landed the difficult conversion.