Keighley succumb to 3rd consecutive Y1 defeat with 45-3 loss at Beverley.

Beverley 45 Keighley 3

Keighley were unable to come to terms with Beverley’s style of play which resulted in capitulation and a try scoring spree in the last eight minutes of the game. Beverley enjoyed a period of early possession and showed that they were committed to fifteen man rugby, moving the ball wide at every opportunity. Keighley weathered the storm and exerted their own pressure, their scrum and lineout worked well and they camped in the opposition twenty two, unfortunately they lacked composure at vital moments and were unable to turn the pressure into points. Losing the ball at a breakdown allowed Beverley to break out of defence, quick hands and a strong run from fullback Luke Hazell gained a score in the corner. Keighley replied with a penalty from Alex Brown. Just prior to the half time whistle Keighley were awarded an easy penalty, they chose to scrummage, possession came to nothing and once again loss of possession at the breakdown which gave full back Hazell room on the outside and a second try.

At half time Keighley unfortunately lost a number of key players through injury, which made their task doubly difficult. However, they battled on; winger Joe Copperwaite came very near to scoring after a clever interception. Although Keighley gained good possession they were always second best at the breakdown, through poor basic skills or plain lack of aggression in clearing out. The last thing you do against a free flowing team like Beverley is give them extra possession, a loose kick out of defence led to quick hands and a neat try for scrum half Will Harrison converted by outside half Phil Duboulay. Losing the ball in contact became an epidemic in the Keighley ranks, good possession and territory came to nought through simple imprecision, giving the hosts the opportunity to practise their running skills, and a simple try under the posts for centre Will Turnbull, converted by Duboulay

The last ten minutes or so saw Keighley give up the ghost, and they were quite simply put to the sword, with tries from Joey Franklin, Luke Hazell and Will Harrison, Duboulay added two conversions.

Keighley were in many respects flattered by a recent easy victory against Bradford Salem, their faults have come back to haunt them. The scrum and lineout weaknesses have been fixed. Now for them to progress in this tough league it’s the contact area that needs stern evaluation and correction.