1st XV
Matches
Sat 19 Nov 2016  ·  Yorkshire Division 1
Keighley RUFC
1st XV
Tries: A EbbrellConversions: A BrownPenalties: A Brown (3)
14
5
York
KEIGHLEY MARCH ON IN YORKSHIRE 1 WITH 9TH VICTORY

KEIGHLEY MARCH ON IN YORKSHIRE 1 WITH 9TH VICTORY

Alden Phillips22 Nov 2016 - 20:42
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Keighley overcame a strong York XV on a cold wet day to win 14-5

Keighley 14 York 5

Keighley with four first team regulars out through injury ground out a well earned win over a strong York team. In the opening minutes of the game the first scrum was adjudged to have been collapsed by the York front row, resulting in a long distance penalty for outside half Alex Brown. The early score stung York into action and a period of domination. Keighley managed some possession but because of the poor handling conditions were more or less forced to kick out of defence which gave the opposition even more opportunities. Using a blend of big forwards and slick backs York drove play deep into host territory. Although they came very close to scoring the combination of a defiant Keighley defence and a greasy ball kept them at bay. Eventually, Keighley through hard graft from the forwards prompted by the vision of scrum half Rob Wilkinson and outside half Alex Brown gained good field position; the pressure from the Keighley pack in the loose forced York to concede another penalty and three more points for Alex Brown. Near the end of the half, with the weather conditions deteriorating even further York gained a line out on the Keighley twenty two. Good possession from Captain and line out jumper Chris Fox led to a well worked forward drive and try scored by a pile of muddy bodies over the try line.

The whole of the second half was a Titan struggle; Keighley with young debutant prop Andy Heys playing out of his skin gave York a torrid time at the breakdown. Once again York found themselves in a similar situation to the first half, with a dominant share of possession and field position. However, the Keighley defence throughout the team was outstanding. What possession Keighley did gain was used to full advantage, the forwards taking turns to drive the ball forward. Towards the end of the game number eight Leigh Sugden broke out of defence, the ball was quickly recycled and into the hands of supporting wing forward Tom Lowther who broke through the initial cover and set off downfield. Eventually the ball arrived in the hands of scrum half Rob Wilkinson who chipped over the top of a well organised defensive wall, allowing centre Alan Ebbrell the opportunity to charge through to finish the scoring with a try in the corner. This Saturday another difficult challenge away to unbeaten league leaders Bridlington.

York's report from their website:
York drown in the bog at Keighley. Report by Andy Brown. Photos by Rob Long.

York’s dismal away form continued on the boggy pitch at Skipton Road, Keighley. On a gloomy, overcast day, York needed to build on their convincing win against Beverley. Sadly, it was not to be as it was the home side that adapted far better to the atrocious conditions.

Keighley took first advantage of the strong breeze and would score first when from the kick off York knocked on, deemed to have collapsed the resulting scrum and Keighley 10 Brown slotted over from 40 metres. It would be 10 minutes before the home side again got into the York half but despite constant pressure from the visitors it could not be turned into points. York losing control of the driving maul on several occasions.In fact it was Keighley who would came closest to scoring when their number 7 Lowther was penalised for a double movement when it appeared he had no York tackler in contact with him. A big let off for the visitors. York now had to endure further pressure and whilst they kept their line intact, a series of penalties lead to Brown’s second success of the afternoon. As the heavens opened and the rain poured down, it was clear that the game was going to be a “war of attrition” and whoever adapted to the conditions best and make the least mistakes, would win. York brought play back into the home sides half and after several promising phases of play won a 5 yard scrum, the York forwards drove the Keighley pack back but at the critical point last control - again they would come away pointless. Keighley were using the breeze well and brought play into the visitor’s half where another York indiscretion allowed Brown to slot over his 3rd penalty, 9 - 0.York however would have the last say of the first half when on the stroke of half time, a line out on the home 22 allowed the York pack to get their act together and drive over a well-controlled maul next to the post. York prop JR Hartley coming up with the ball. Conversion missed. 9 - 5 HT Keighley

The second half would see York dominate the game territorially, with the home team only getting into the York half three times. The first of these incursions, after 41 minutes, resulted in York flanker Hannibal being yellow carded for “slapping at the ball”, Brown’s easiest penalty of the afternoon drifted wide. Both sides were showing continued “dogged defence” but it would be York who would remain in the ascendancy. York continued to camp themselves in the home half, the resultant pressure leading to a penalty in front of the posts when a Keighley centre had drifted off side. The penalty attempt was missed when it was screwed wide. York continued the pressure and on 48 minutes again earned themselves another kickable penalty. The kick at goal was not taken, choosing instead to kick to the corner. The line out was lost allowing the home team to clear their line.York maintained the pressure and again declined an easy attempt at goal in favour of playing to the corner. Again the driving maul came to nothing. Then on 65 minutes, Keighley made their 2nd incursion into the York half, fly kicking a loose York pass but quick covering by the York defence saw Will Atkin touching down to thwart the home side. York were soon back on the attack when a quick break by full back Newitt fed the supporting York players and the overlap was on; a moment of hesitancy and the overlap disappeared - the covering defence making a last ditch tackle and clearing to touch. York again had a lineout on the 22, well caught by skipper Fox. York drove deep into the Keighley 22, and looked to be heading for their 2nd try of the afternoon. The drive stalled, York backs joined the maul to regain momentum but unfortunately, joining in front of the maul is outlawed this season. Penalty to Keighley. Line cleared.74 minutes played and Keighley, for only the 3rd time of the half, found themselves in the York half. A kick over the top found the York defence flat footed with the resulting chase allowing Keighley their second try of the afternoon. Conversion missed 14-5. Five minutes to go but the game was over.

Both sides made mistakes and the team that made the least did win. The home team turned what little pressure they had into points and that was the key factor in deciding this game. York will hope to get back to winning ways next week at home to an improving North Ribblesdale team.

Team
Hartley, Bowers R, Norris, Fox, Benson, Hall E, Hannibal, Goulding, Penistone, McClure, Davies, Potrykus S, Forbes, Atkin W, Newitt. Subs Rutherford, Parker, Nicholson H
Photos
https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/yorkrufc/photos/keighley-rufc-v-york-rufc-19th-november-2016-707842.html

Updated 10:19 - 20 Nov 2016 by Ian Coe

Match details

Match date

Sat 19 Nov 2016

Kickoff

14:15

Meet time

13:00

Competition

Yorkshire Division 1

League position

2
Keighley
5
York
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