Wheatley Hills 24 Keighley 24

Keighley had to work hard to contain a very large Wheatley Hills pack and earn a draw. Wheatley Hills were determined to use their big forwards to full advantage; early pressure gained them a penalty that outside half Dave Laycock converted. Keighley unable to gain possession were trapped in their own half for extended periods of time. A rolling maul from a line out saw Wheatley drive play at least twenty yards up field, which resulted in a penalty. Choosing a scrum they forced their opponents over the line and a simple try for number eight Paul Purnell, converted by Laycock. Keighley slowly forced their way back into the game and pressure from winger Joe Coopperwaite gained a penalty that captain Alex Brown converted. A little later they used good possession to enable number eight Rob Baldwin to force his way over the line, unfortunately for Keighley he was held up. Wheatley recovered and returned to their direct approach, their straight running was poorly defended allowing the runners to continually cross the gain line, which eventually led to a try for burly prop Brad Stephenson, once again Laycock added the extras. At this stage of the game Keighley used their bench, bringing on veteran forward Leigh Sugden to steady the ship, good possession was driven up by Baldwin then moved wide which gave winger Copperwaite time and space and a well taken try in the corner, Alex Brown added the difficult conversion.

In the second half Wheatley started briskly, however Keighley were able to contain them and put together some good moves of their own. Gaining a line out in the opposition twenty two they moved the ball quickly along the backs, with the defence stretched centre Rob Wilkinson dashed through a gap to score, Brown added the conversion. Keighley with the scores level turned the screw and pressured the opposition line, Wheatley were forced into a series of handling errors which gave second rower Stuart Inman the chance to drop on a loose ball to score, Brown added the conversion. As the end of the match approached Wheatley’s outside half Dave Laycock kicked intelligently, stealing line out ball they put together another long distance rolling maul before delivering the ball to the backs. They were almost certain to score were it not for a superb last ditch tackle from centre Adam Horsfall. Wheatley managed to keep play in the Keighley half and some storming runs from the big forwards softened up the defence and a second try for prop Stephenson, Laycock capped an excellent personal performance with a well struck conversion.

Report by Sam Griffin