1st XV
Matches
Sat 24 Sep 2016  ·  Yorkshire Division 1
Keighley RUFC
1st XV
21
36
Beverley
KEIGHLEY SUCCOMB TO BEVERLEY'S SPEED

KEIGHLEY SUCCOMB TO BEVERLEY'S SPEED

Alden Phillips28 Sep 2016 - 16:05
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A disappointing display by Keighley resulted in their first league loss 21 -36.

Sam Griffin, KRUFC Chairman wrote:
Keighley 21 Beverley 36
Beverley started the game well, within the first few minutes a break down the middle by number eight Isaac Keighley caused problems for the home defence, and a try wide out for full back Rob Smith, captain Phil Duboulay added the difficult conversion. Keighley were shocked into action but were unable to retain possession at the breakdown which gave the lively Beverley backs plenty of opportunity to probe for weakness. Keighley overcommitted their forwards to the ruck which gave the opposition too much undefendable space in midfield, space that was utilised by centre James Graham when he easily rounded what was left of the defence to score, Duboulay added the conversion. The home side responded with some strong attacking play through centres Horsfall and Blackwell, but more often than not they were coming from deep which allowed the Beverley defence time and space to organise their mob defence. The pressure eventually told resulting in two penalties from outside half Alex Brown. Near the half time whistle Keighley lost their hooker Declan Hampson through injury, and to make matters worse Beverley winger Luke Hazell exploited a lapse in concentration to break down the wing and score, converted by full back Rob Smith as Duboulay had left the field.

In the second half Keighley having been given a lesson in speedy flat back play decided that they needed to use the more direct approach using the forwards and their big centres to drive play down the middle of the field. Beverley defended well but had to concede field position. The forwards with second row Dan Snowden leading the way did what they do best, continuously driving at the defence. Eventually the ploy worked when centre Ben Blackwell forced his way over the try line, Brown added the conversion. Not to be out done the Beverley forwards drove play up field from a lineout, quick hands, sparse defence and another simple try for centre Graham. A few minutes later Rob Smith added a penalty to his tally, after Keighley’s Alex Brown was yellow carded for a purposeful knock on. The home side once again raised their game gaining a penalty for Ben Blackwell. Trapped in their own half Keighley vainly attempted to run the ball out of defence but the pressure of chasing the game brought handling errors which gave Beverley scrum half Will Harrison the opportunity to break up the undefended touchline to score, Rob Smith added the conversion. Showing a lot of character Keighley with the game lost threw everything they had at a tiring Beverley defence, their good work was rewarded when Alex Brown finished a good passage of play to score. Unfortunately too little too late.

Malcolm Cunningham from Beverely wrote on their website:
What a transformation! After last Saturday's disappointing performance at Hullensians during which Beverley employed completely the wrong tactics and eventually lost quite heavily, they obviously discussed matters well during the week at training and elsewhere and it was most encouraging to see that they had learnt from their mistakes.

Keighley’s wide pitch is clearly ideal for the type running rugby which Beverley like to play and they responded magnificently to deliver their best performance of the season so far. They played well in every aspect of the game and, to their credit, Keighley played their part, but they simply had no answer to Beverley’s speed and handling.

Things looked good for the Beavers from the second minute when they won a lineout on halfway. Isaac Keighley broke strongly up the middle and then slick passing along the back line resulted in a try far out for Rob Smith which Phil Duboulay duly converted (0-7). Although Keighley were looking strong in the set scrums, taking three against the head, Beverley dominated the lineouts. Another slick backs move next saw James Graham speed over for a try which Phil Duboulay again converted (0-14).

Shortly after, Keighley were awarded a penalty for Beverley not releasing in the tackle and Alex Brown converted (3-14). Phil Duboulay was on the ground at this point and unfortunately had to be helped off with what appeared to be a rib injury. A second penalty to Keighley was converted by Alex Brown (6-14) and Keighley were edging back into the game.

Beverley hooker Sam Fell was replaced by Barney Carter and, from a good break in midfield by scrum half Will Harrison, the ball was switched across the back line from right wing to left wing Luke Hazell who beat three men to score a superb try which Rob Smith, in the absence of Phil Duboulay, calmly converted (6-21).

Keighley obviously received a strong pep talk at half time and came out for the second half looking a stronger team. 10 minutes of Keighley pressure finally broke down the Beverley defence and resulted in a try by the strong running Ben Blackwell which was converted by Alex Brown (13-21).

Beverley hit back almost immediately. From a line out on their own 22 they set up a driving maul taking them into the Keighley half when firstly Alex McPeake then Will Turnbull took on to slip the ball to James Graham to score the Bonus point try (13-26).

A deliberate knock on brought a yellow card for Alex Brown and a penalty for Beverley which Rob Smith converted (13-29). Keighley again hit back and the impressive Ben Blackwell kicked a penalty (16-29).

Will Harrison then sealed the game for the Beavers with a try converted by Rob Smith (16-36) although Keighley did score on the final play of the game with a try by Alex Brown (21-36).

Match details

Match date

Sat 24 Sep 2016

Kickoff

15:00

Competition

Yorkshire Division 1

League position

4
Beverley
6
Keighley
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Rugby Development Sponsor  - Adaptive Control Solutions Ltd.
Silver Sponsor - Hebden and holding
Silver Sponsor - Calvert Construction
Stags Sponsor - Front Five Building Services
Sponsor - Sugden Amenity
Club Sponsor - Sugden Contractors