Keighley 10 Dinnington 17

In the early stages of the game the Keighley defence was strong, managing to contain a number of forward orientated attacks. Because of the power difference up front Keighley were forced to play ‘fast and loose’. The tactic paid off, a powerful run into opposition territory by centre Marco Ferrazzanno allowed Keighley to recycle quickly.

A couple of simple passes and the ball was in the hands of centre Ben Blackwell, who drew a defender to put Winger Adam Horsfall in at the corner. Stung into a response Dinnington gradually took control of territory and possession, from a line out a few metres from the try line an unstoppable driving maul gave veteran second row John Dudley the opportunity to force his way over.

In the second half with the weather deteriorating Keighley continued with their gameplan. Some excellent work from the forwards, especially Iliff, Minikin and Inman gave Keighley possession and an attacking platform.

The backs moved the ball well and had a number of opportunities to score but the visitors defence managed to keep them out. Dinnington weathering the pressure regained control; they were rewarded for their efforts when replacement number eight Will Marshall picked up from a scrum and forced his way through two tacklers to score.

With their back line unable to breach the Keighley defence Dinnington were forced to rely once again on the direct route into Keighley territory, a series of driving mauls and rucks forced play to the try line, once again Marshall’s strength was too much for the defence and his second try, converted by outside half Johnny West.

Keighley raised their game and some powerful running from both forwards and backs took play into the opposition half. A rushed defensive kick was charged down by second row David Iliff, who followed up to hack on and score. A few minutes later Keighley’s wing forward Tom Lowther broke through a tackle and raced fifty metres only to be tackled just short of the whitewash. With time running out Dinnington sensibly kept the ball amongst the forwards and ran the clock down to the final whistle.

This Saturday Keighley are on the road again, a Yorkshire Shield match at Selby.