1st XV
Matches
Sat 07 Dec 2019  ·  Yorkshire One
Keighley RUFC
1st XV
Tries: R Tillotson (2), S Minikin, S Kelly (3), A EbbrellConversions: O Mitchell (2), J AtkinsonPenalties: O Mitchell
44
39
Hullensians
KEIGHLEY EDGE VICTORY IN 12 TRY THRILLER

KEIGHLEY EDGE VICTORY IN 12 TRY THRILLER

Alden Phillips9 Dec 2019 - 10:53
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1st XV triumphed 44-39 after leading 32-13 at half-time

Keighley 44 Hullensians 39
by Sam Griffin
The old cliché, a game of two halves fits this game perfectly. Keighley with a 32 – 13 lead at one stage only managed to snatch victory in the final minutes. A very exciting game between two teams at the bottom end of the league table. It was a perfect start for the home side, within minutes powerful centre Sean Kelly drove down the middle, a slick off load to winger Atkinson was flicked back inside to centre Rich Tillotson who scored in the corner. Hullensians then began to show what they had to offer, pace on the outside and some poor defence gave them good field position. A scrum gave athletic number eight Dylan Reed the chance to break and a try, well converted by wing forward Tony Smith. Smith added to his tally a little later with a penalty. Slowly the Keighley forwards driven on by number eight Will McLaughlin began to dominate, so much so that they spurned a number of kickable penalties. The trust in the forwards was rewarded when second row Shaun Minikin was driven over under the posts, Mitchell added the conversion. Hullensians re gained the leed with a penalty from Smith. Keighley once again pressured and a quick penalty from scrum half George Marshall found Kelly in support, crashing through two defenders to score, some minutes later Olly Mitchell improved the score with a penalty. Hullensians trying desperately to close the balance forced a pass that was gratefully intercepted by Sean Kelly who raced away to score his second try, converted by Mitchell. Outside half Grayson Tihema finished the half with a fine break in his own half that eventually led to yet another try for Kelly.

In the second half with a nineteen point lead Keighley made a number of substitutions. Whilst they were bedding in Hullensians took full advantage with an early try in the corner from full back Chris Harding. Not to be outdone Keighley scrum half Marshall made a telling break, further pressure from the forwards and a second try for centre Tillotson. Hullensians fought back hard, their efforts were rewarded with two tries for their outstanding number eight Dylan Reed, both converted by Tony Smith. At this, the final stage of the match Hullensians rightly began to gain confidence, only a try saving tackle from Keighley’s Kelly kept them at bay. Eventually the constant pressure and a ragged defence gave their captain Dom Bloomfield a well deserved try, converted by the ever reliable Smith. With a matter of minutes remaining and nerves on edge Keighley to their credit threw everything they had at the opposition. Quick ball from their hard working forwards gave centre Kelly the chance to pull in defenders before moving the ball to fellow centre Tillotson, fixing the last defender he found winger Alan Ebbrell in support and a try in the corner. Jack Atkinson added the difficult conversion. From the restart Keighley kept the ball in the forwards until the final whistle.

Match details

Match date

Sat 07 Dec 2019

Kickoff

14:00

Competition

Yorkshire One

League position

10
Keighley
14
Hullensians
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Rugby Development Sponsor  - Adaptive Control Solutions Ltd.
Silver Sponsor - Hebden and holding
Silver Sponsor - Calvert Construction
Stags Sponsor - Front Five Building Services
Sponsor - Sugden Amenity
Club Sponsor - Sugden Contractors