1st XV
Matches
Sat 29 Nov 2014  ·  Yorkshire Division Two
Barnsley
16
12
Keighley RUFC
1st XV
BARNSLEY 16  -  KEIGHLEY 12

BARNSLEY 16 - KEIGHLEY 12

Kate Metcalfe30 Nov 2014 - 17:54
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For the third consecutive week Keighley contested well before suffering a narrow defeat against a top four side in the league.

For the third consecutive week Keighley contested well before suffering a narrow defeat against a top four side in the league.
Lacking influential forwards Leigh Sugden, Shaun Minikin and Ian Buckley, in addition to back Danny McGee, Keighley rose to the occasion, outscoring the opposition by two tries to one, with every player giving his utmost on a boggy energy-sapping pitch.

After conceding an early penalty goal by home stand off Gilmore Appleyard, Keighley struck back in style, forwards Will Armitage and Craig Spencer combining skilfully to send No. 8 Josh Hannah over in the corner.

A solid Barnsley pack tested the visitors in the set pieces, but a superb contribution by the front row of Sam Booker, Armitage and Spencer, allied to excellent line out work by Hannah and David Iliff kept Keighley in the game.

As half time approached a powerful 15 metre forward maul was halted close to the line, but Keighley maintained the initiative and only a desperate defence held up a charge by Booker.

In the slippery conditions neither set of backs was able to create much in the way of attacking rugby and the few chances on offer were halted by firm tackling by both sides. A slicing break by stand off Rob Wilkinson, who had an excellent game throughout, briefly raised Keighley’s hopes, but the home side recovered its composure, taking play to the Keighley 22 metre area, where they pressured Keighley into conceding a penalty, converted by Appleyard to give his side a narrow half time lead.

Barnsley were first to apply pressure in the second half and after Keighley flanker Elliot Barker was sin-binned for offside, scrum half Wayne Thomas darted over from close range with Appleyard converting.

As the game progressed Keighley increasingly looked the better side. A number of indiscretions by the home side allowed them to mount a series of drives on the line, eventually resulting in a second try for the impressive Hannah with Ollie Mitchell adding a fine conversion to set up a tense finale to an absorbing game. Another penalty goal by Appleyard extended Barnsley’s lead but Keighley’s pack looked increasingly threatening.

Replacement flanker Nigel Curr’s break was checked a metre from the line and several surges by the forwards were only held up by a brave Barnsley defence.

The elusive try, however, did not materialise and Keighley were once more left to ponder on what might have been.

Their efforts certainly deserved more than a single losing bonus point.

Match details

Match date

Sat 29 Nov 2014

Kickoff

14:15

Competition

Yorkshire Division Two
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