Keighley 31 Yarnbury 0

A decent game of rugby given the intensely cold conditions. Both teams spent the early stages of the match acclimatising themselves, which resulted in a lot of poor handling, and a stop start feel to the game between two well matched teams. As the half progressed there were some periods of enterprising open play. Yarnbury had a lot of pace in their back line and Keighley shaded the forward exchanges, however, defences dominated. After long periods of impasse Keighley with their back row in fine form gained good field position and a dynamic forward drive was finished off with a try for tight head prop John Gibson, converted by Alex Brown. Yarnbury grafted hard to get back into the game, but whatever they attempted was met with a well organised determined defence.
In the second half Keighley picked up the pace, and were much more accurate in their play. Some solid runs by the Keighley forwards managed to narrow the opposition defence which gave centre Sean Kelly the chance to arc down the right hand side to score, once again converted by Brown. Although Yarnbury were still in the game the Keighley scrum and line out were going well giving scrum half George Marshall and outside half Brown the opportunities to control the point of attack. At a line out on the opposition twenty two, the ball was secured and driven over the try line by the Keighley pack, number eight Tom Wyte getting the touchdown, Brown converted. With a twenty one point score advantage Keighley felt able to expand their game, either using centre Adam Horsfall to take the direct route, or moving it down the line. From a driving scrum in the Yarnbury half the ball was moved quickly, full back Alfie Seeley made the extra man and took the opportunity to score wide out. At this point Keighley brought on their substitutes which gave them fresh legs. The inclusion of utility player Lucas Uren added some extra power on the wing, he made serious inroads into the tired Yarnbury defence. Towards the end of the game strong driving play from the Keighley forwards gave prop Sam Booker the opportunity to use his strength to drive over the line. To their credit Yarnbury never gave up and battled to the end but were up against the well organised league leaders, who on the day were too good for them. Next Saturday’s home fixture could be a stern test, against Wetherby.

By Sam Griff