Keighley 25 Wensleydale 22
By Sam Griffin

A Keighley victory snatched from the jaws of defeat. A hard fought game between two well matched teams. Keighley were quickly out of the blocks with some solid play from both forwards and backs, centre Sean Kelly was soon enjoying his return to the first team with some well timed balanced running. Unfortunately Keighley were up against a well drilled defence, losing the ball in contact Keighley were exposed wide out, a fine run from elusive centre Price rounded the defence, a quick ball inside gave scrum half Lewis an easy touchdown under the posts, converted by fullback M. Michael. From that point onward Wensleydale got into their stride and tested the Keighley defence to its limits. Eventually Keighley managed to gain ground and a penalty. Quick thinking wing forward Lucas Uren was on hand to tap and go straight through the makeshift defence to score, Meegan added the conversion. Wensleydale were instantly back in action, quick ball found centre Price who breezed through two defender to score wide out.

In the second half Wensleydale were quicker in thought and deed, most Keighley attacks broke down through handling errors or having the ball stolen at the breakdown. Wensleydale attacks were far crisper and more accurate leading to well worked try for winger Haigh and centre Price, unfortunately for them they did not have a kicker on form and were unable to capitalise on their scores. There followed a war of attrition, Keighley with their back row of Parkinson, Whyte and Uren once again at their awkward best often slowed down the opposition possession stifling a number of slick attacking moves. The stalemate was broken with the introduction of back Bealey- kay and solid forwards Sam Booker and Ed Keighley off the bench. The fresh legs and extra power made all the difference. Forward pressure put the defence on the back foot and gave powerful straight running centre Jak Adams the chance hit the defence at pace and a try wide out Meegan added the difficult conversion. Keighley managed to keep the pressure on towards the final whistle, a well taken try from prop forward Andy Hayes brought the score level. With minutes remaining Keighley were awarded a penalty, outside half Meegan who had been accurate with the boot all afternoon landed the pressure kick. The game was restarted with a long kick deep into Keighley territory, the forwards gathered the ball and were intent on winding the clock down. Unfortunately it was not to be, one of their forwards decided to drive the ball too far from his support, he was adjudged to be holding on and a gifted penalty to Wensleydale. Without an inform kicker and a difficult penalty to boot, Wensleydale were forced to kick to touch, the last play of the game the line out came to nought resulting in a really hard fought victory for the home team. This was not one of Keighley’s best performances, it was a win based on dogged determination and belief. Wensleydale certainly deserved their two bonus points for their excellent entertaining performance.