GREAT DEFENCE EARNS KEIGHLEY A HOME WIN

Keighley 13 Hullensians 8

A great start for Keighley. Within minutes, some slick hands in the backs and good ball retention gave full back Alfie Seeley the chance to squeeze through half a gap to score in the corner. For the next twenty minutes or so Hullensians dominated possession and territory. Try as they might they were unable to break down a totally resolute defence, the middle of the field was well controlled by ex-rugby league players Sean Kelly and Jamie Donnelly who managed to break up a number of attacking thrusts. When the visitors did force some space wide out, and a certain score was on the cards, alert winger Jake Duxbury managed a superb try stopping tackle. Eventually Keighley managed to sort out their line out problems and came back into the game, which led to a stalemate in mid field where defences were the dominant factor.

At the second half restart Keighley showed their attacking intent with a fine mazy run from Alfie Seeley that took play into the opposition half, they managed to maintain the pressure but the Hullensians defence held and they managed to clear their lines. A later attacking move found Keighley winger Jack Atkinson in possession, to avoid defenders he cut inside, after he was tackled second row James Fox cleaned out the ensuing ruck. The quick possession gave outside half Alex Brown the chance to check defenders and put young substitute centre Ethan Lawrie through a gap to score. Stung into action Hullensians turned the screw with back rower Ollie Dynan making inroads into the defence at every opportunity and with scrum half Chris Smith cleverly working with both forwards and backs the Keighley defence was put under extreme pressure. After a line out drive and a series of rucks second row Aaron Smith drove over to score, just reward for a great deal of effort. The pressure continued mostly through the forwards, too often though individual runners were pounced on by physical scrum half Lucas Uren and the Keighley back row, often leading to penalties for holding on, one of which Alex Brown converted. Hullensians were able to convert further pressure into points with a well struck penalty for centre Chris Lound. Near the full time whistle Keighley managed to secure the ball which allowed experienced number eight Leigh Sugden and his pack the opportunity to maintain possession and run the clock down. As far as the league is concerned both teams are more or less mid table, so at this stage of the season there was little to play for. However, every player gave their all in a hard game that could have gone either way. Perhaps more pleasing for the home side, as they were able to try out three up and coming young players, who managed to show their worth and gain valuable experience in what is a difficult league environment.