Depleted Keighley suffer heavy defeat away at Middlesbrough, 48-7.

Middlesbrough 48 Keighley 7

Keighley with a depleted team were put to the sword by an efficient, effective Middlesbrough. Ex. Wharfdale Outside half Andy Baggett and ex. London Scottish centre Peter Homan used their class to control the game and give themselves five tries. Although Keighley started well, an early penalty from Middlesbrough’s Baggett allowed them to settle. In this type of game defensive line speed and concentration is everything. The home team were given too much time and space and a simple curving run across defenders led to a try for centre Homan. Keighley responded with some excellent play from outside half Jake Duxbury, Shaun Minkin and new boy Josh Slingsby. They came near to scoring but were denied by slow ball and a well organised defence. From that point onwards it was one way traffic; Middlebrough forwards were on the front foot which gave their backs chance to stretch the Keighley defence. Once again Holman curved across field evading a poor attempt at a tackle to score, converted by Baggett. Keighley soldiered on but they chose to run the ball out of defence too often. Losing the ball in contact gave Baggett a simple show and go converted try. The final score of the half was a run in for young Middlesbrough winger Harry Bryce.

The second half saw Keighley take the game to the opposition some good work from the forwards gave the backs good ball, unfortunately basic skills let them down and a break out of defence gave Holman his third try, converted by Baggett. The introduction of Lucas Uren off the subs bench to scrum half gave Keighley a more abrasive edge, his shear physicality managed to break up the Middlesbrough supply line. Some strong work from second row Smith Brown and neat skills in the backs gave Jake Duxbury some space and a neat try that Alex Brown converted. With nothing to lose the Keighley youngsters began to show why they are potential first team material. Ethan Lawrie in the centre Adam Kemp at number eight and Josh Slingsby on the wing worked really hard and at last Keighley gained some good possession and good field position unfortunately inaccuracy cost them dearly and a further try for Baggett followed by a seventy five yard break out of defence and a simple try for winger Rhys Kilbride, both converted by Baggett. In many respects Keighley had little chance of winning this game. However, it gave a number of youngsters their chance to impress and learn the hard way. Their time will come.