KEIGHLEY END SEASON IN STYLE WITH WIN OVER YARNBURY

Keighley 52 Yarnbury 33

A fast flowing game of rugby. Within minutes of the start Keighley swept play up field and a try for wing forward Josh Hannah, converted by outside half Alex Brown. Yarnbury’s response was instant they forced play into Keighley territory and some strong driving play forced captain James Cryan over wide out, outside half Keiron Davies added the difficult conversion. Keighley full of the joys of spring really threw the ball around, both forwards and backs handling well, as always Joe Copperwaite managed to finish off a good piece of play to score under the posts, once again Brown added the extras. Keighley dominating territory gained good line out ball from Hamish Pratt and a well rehearsed move found powerful number eight Leigh Sugden at pace and a fine try, converted by Brown. Alex Brown was the next player to score when he latched onto a ball from prop Craig Spencer to score under the posts, he also added the conversion. Yarnbury to their credit began to gain quality possession from their powerful forwards, driving play towards the corner allowed excellent scrum half Nathan Benton the chance to duck under some poor defence to score in the corner, Keiron Davies converted the touch line kick. Just before half time Keighley full back Alfie Seeley fielded a long kick out of defence, rather than the safety first option he danced his way up field to score an outstanding individual try.

From the restart Keighley were again pressing and some poor defence gave centre Adam Horsfall the chance to crash over under the posts, Brown converted. Once again Yarnbury with their two second rows Falgate and Holden making the hard yards drove play into Keighley territory and a well taken try for James Falgate. Keighley with quality ball from all phases of forward play maintained a firm grip on the game, the pressure told and a further try for Horsfall converted by Brown. Horsfall who was having a great game managed to steal the ball at a breakdown and slip it to hooker Shaun Minikin who rounded the last defender to score wide out. Yarnbury to their great credit stuck with it, some fine running orchestrated by skilful outside half Keiron Davies and supported by a solid pack forced Keighley to defend, and a well taken second try for scrum half Benton, closely followed by a try for centre Tom O’ Brien, both converted by Davies. Unfortunately for Yarnbury it was too little too late and certain relegation. Keighley on the other hand were able to celebrate their final game on their first team grass pitch with a well earned victory. Next season sees the birth of a new era for Keighley RUFC. Over the summer the RFU are investing in rugby union in the district through the installation of a state of the art 3G artificial grass pitch at Keighley.