Forward domination not enough for Keighley

Keighley 17 Goole 42
by Sam Griffin
Keighley totally dominated possession and territory in the first half yet still managed to turn around fourteen points down. Both teams started well, eventually Keighley with a dominant scrum and centres Kelly and Tillotson cutting good lines gained ascendancy. Against the run of play Goole forced a handling error, the ball was kicked and chased and the award of a justified penalty try. Keighley with forwards Fox, Sugden and Minikin driving the hard yards gained a firm foothold in opposition territory. A well supported line break by full back Matty Langstaff allowed winger Chris Stead to use his strength to cross for a well earned try. Once again the home team dominated territory; Goole struggling at scrum time did well to handle the pressure. Not committing too many players to the breakdown gave them a stable defence that allowed them to cope with whatever Keighley had to offer. Keighley’s lack of composure allowed Goole to swiftly breakout of defence and a simple try for substitute Will Devenish, converted by outside half Rhys Moore. Towards the end of the half the Goole backs managed to pierce the Keighley defence and a try under the posts for Moore who also added the conversion.

In the second half Goole had a comfortable points cushion and Keighley were forced to chase the game. Playing fast and loose Keighley lost the ball in the wide open spaces and a centre Matty Lill raced down the touchline to score in the corner; Moore did well to land the difficult conversion. Goole expanded their game and some crisp handling gave support runner wing forward Jack Smith a try in the corner, again converted by Moore. With the game slipping away Keighley managed a series of forward drives that finished with a thoroughly deserved try for second row James Fox, converted by outside half Grayson Tihema. It was Keighley’s turn to be put under pressure. However Goole lost the ball n contact giving Keighley winger Jake Hill the opportunity to break out down the wing, a quick pass inside and a try for Rich Tillotson. Keighley stirred into action raised their game. Unfortunately their efforts went unrewarded when a loose pass was scooped up by substitute forward Will Townend who scored, Moore finished the scoring off with a well taken conversion. Keighley with a possession and territorial advantage should have done much better, slow defensive line speed and organisation gave Goole too much time and space, that ended in a well deserved victory.
Report from Goole RUFC Website:
KEIGHLEY 17 V 42 GOOLE
BY GOOLE RUFC
6 Tries on 4G
This week's fixture was unique in two respects. Firstly the fixture was both a League and Yorkshire Shield match, agreed between both clubs and secondly being that it was the first time Goole had ever played on a 4G artificial surface. The arrangement worked in Goole's favour, providing both a 5-point league gain, along with a 2nd round fixture in the Shield.

Summing up the game itself could be divided into 4 periods of 20 mins. The first 20 saw Goole trying to come to terms with the playing surface, the bounce of the ball and the presence of the home side, camped almost exclusively in Goole’s half. Goole showing once again their ability to defend on their own line. After weathering the early onslaught, Goole produced the first score of the game on 15mins, when they broke out of defence, pounced on a loose ball sending centre Barrass chasing the ball to the Keighley line where he was unceremoniously tripped as he was about to touch down. The resulting penalty try giving a seven point lead for the visitors.
The second 20 mins saw Goole beginning to demonstrate that they had come to terms with the surface, as they took control of territory and possession. In the 22nd min they succumbed to a Keighley touch down when a kick into their half saw the ball bounce awkwardly, benefitting the home side as they quickly moved the ball right to left for a score in the left corner, reducing the deficit to 5-7.
With Goole still holding the upper hand and playing their typical open game, the pressure began to build on Keighley, who had managed to work their way into Goole’s 22 but lost possession at a breakdown when back row partners Walker and Smith forced their way up to half way, well supported by Matty Lill, resulting in Captain Moore claiming the try which he converted for 5-14.
From the re-start the Keighley off-half failed to get the ball the required 10 mtrs and Connor Walker seized the chance to pick and go, releasing Will Devenish, on at centre, following injury to Barrass, to sprint down the centre of the field to score Goole’s third try, again under the posts. Moore again converting to go into the break leading 5-21.
The 2nd half started where the first had finished, when as early as the 42nd min Wiil Devenish stole a ball at the ruck to find Jack Smith whose run to halfway saw him fending off numerous attempts to stop him before delicately passing to Lill on half way for him to run in unopposed at the right corner. Moore then landing an excellent conversion from out on the right touch line. Goole now 5-28 up and in total control.
With Goole still dominating possession and territory, it was on the 57th min when they again struck, Moore finding touch from a penalty. Charlie Walton, who made a massive contribution to the game, claimed the line out and forced his way into Keighley territory before the ball was taken on by Betteridge into the home 22, before support arrived, in the shape of Man of the Match Jack Smith to appear on the right, his trademark no nonsense strong running lines made it to the try line for Goole’s fifth try. Moore’s excellent kicking again providing the extra points, as their lead increased to 5-35.
So to the last 20 mins of the game, where Goole seemed to take their eye off the ball a little, giving the ball away cheaply on at least 3 occasions. A mis-understanding as Goole waited to receive the kick off after Smith's try, resulted in Keighley picking up the loose ball and running through to the line to score their seconnd try, which was converted to bring them back to 12-35.
On the 70th min Keighley again touched down, when from a scrum in their own 22, the stand off launched a cross field kick for the left winger to collect and run in from 50 mtrs out. The score now 17-35 to Goole, with 7mins of normal time left.
Goole managed to rediscover their focus and forced their way back into the Keighley half, creating pressure on the back pedaling home defence resulting in Will Townend scoring by the posts. Moore adding the 2 points.
The final minutes were played out with Goole in control running out victors 42-17. A six try haul, the result of Goole’s trademark way of playing the game, the 4G pitch eventually proving its worth to a side who like to play a fast-open game for the full 80 mins.
Goole’s best outing of the season so far with the whole squad contributing to the performance but special mention going to the front row in particular, who were excellent in an often under pressure scrum. The forward pack as a whole, particularly the back row, were a constant thorn in Keighley’s side. The back line always in support, with particularly strong performances from Moore, Lill and Devenish in midfield. An excellent performance by a squad beginning to look comfortable in this higher division.
Saturday sees the 1st team entertain West Leeds at Westfield Banks while the second and third team travel to Scarborough on a bus to play their respective counterparts. All games have a 3pm kick off and all support is most welcome.