Keighley 29 Goole 10

The early stages of the game were something of an arm wrestle. Goole were first on the score sheet with a well taken penalty from outside half Richard Barrass. Keighley responded well with a break out of defence by full back Liam Everett, followed by terrific driving playfrom the forwards. A solid scrum on the five metre line, gave number eight Josh Hannah the chance to pick up and feed his scrum half Alan Ebbrell who dived over to score.

Goole battling relegation put up stiff resistance but although they gained a plentiful supply of possession, especially from their efficient lineout they were always under pressure, and forced to attack from deep. Keighley on the other hand through excellent work from the forwards and the controlling influence of Alex Brown at outside half were able to push play into the opposition half.

Gaining good field position the Keighley pack once again forced their way into the opposition’s five metre area, after a series of rucks second row Leigh Sugden drove over to score a trademark try. Goole came near to scoring after a break out of defence by outside half Barrass but the home defence was solid. Near the half time whistle Keighley’s outside half Alex Brown drove play forward before giving a try scoring pass to centre Adam Horsfall, Brown also added the conversion.

The first twenty minutes of the second half was something of an impasse, both teams mounted well constructed attacking plays, but neither side were able to break down dogged defences. Eventually gaining good field position and a plentiful supply of possession Keighley moved the ball through the backs and a try for winger Jack Atkinson.

The pattern was repeated; this time fellow winger Luke Carter went over in the corner, Brown landed the difficult conversion. Keighley with a twenty six point lead started to play a more expansive game, however, their Cavalier approach was punished when a long pass was picked off by Goole’s winger Tom Holliday who raced seventy five yards for a well deserved try under the posts, Barrass added the extras.

Both teams fought hard to the end of the final game of the league season but there were no further scores.