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Sat 05 Nov 2016 ·  Aire Wharfe West Merit Table
Cleckheaton 3
3rd XV
10
22
Cleckheaton 3rds 10 vs 22 Keighley Academy
Andy Stell6 Nov 2016 - 22:25
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Keighley Academy tough it out to end losing streak
Keighley Academy travelled to Cleckheaton 3rds hoping to halt a run of 2 straight defeats .
Playing up the slope into a biting northerly wind it was a case of damage limitation against the elements for the first 40.
For the first quarter of the game Cleckheaton took advantage of the conditions as they were almost camped inside the Keighley 20, but for some dogged defending it remained scoreless. On 22 minutes Keighley were rewarded for their defensive efforts when a chip kick over by Andrew Marklew was cleverly hacked on by Tom Stell who outpaced the defence to score the first try of the afternoon. A missed conversion kept the score at 0-5.
Andrew Marklew was again in the thick of the action minutes later adding a further try from close range , again a missed conversion attempt made the score 0-10. Just when Keighley looked like they were taking control of the game and conditions , a lapse in concentration let Cleckheaton in for a simple try to close the lead , with both teams failing to bring their kicking boots the score moved to 5-10. Moments later Cleckheaton were in for a second unconverted try through more poor defending. The scores were all square at 10-10 and Keighley were in danger of undoing all their hard work.
The half time team talk was based on honesty, respect and keeping things simple , and with the elements in their favour for the second 40 Keighley needed to hit the ground running , which they did with the first play of the second half and were unlucky not to score after a nice break , and the ball going through several pairs of hands before finally being put to ground. Keighley looked the more inventive , being marshalled superbly by Andrew Marklew and Neil Jordan .
On 65 minutes a superb break by Jordan Powell who slipped an inside ball to Micky Phillips who scored at the side of the posts , certainly not an afternoon for kickers the score now 10-15. Keighley's pack were now turning the screw at every opportunity and dominating open play with man of the match Joe Emmott the pick of the pack. Keighley were now capitalising on Cleckheaton's mistakes , and on 72 minutes Andrew Marklew split the defence then slipped a neat pass to Jordan Powell who showed power and pace to beat several defenders to go in under the posts. A Marklew conversion made the final score 10-22. A well deserved win in which each player from 1-18 contributed in a fantastic team effort .
Playing up the slope into a biting northerly wind it was a case of damage limitation against the elements for the first 40.
For the first quarter of the game Cleckheaton took advantage of the conditions as they were almost camped inside the Keighley 20, but for some dogged defending it remained scoreless. On 22 minutes Keighley were rewarded for their defensive efforts when a chip kick over by Andrew Marklew was cleverly hacked on by Tom Stell who outpaced the defence to score the first try of the afternoon. A missed conversion kept the score at 0-5.
Andrew Marklew was again in the thick of the action minutes later adding a further try from close range , again a missed conversion attempt made the score 0-10. Just when Keighley looked like they were taking control of the game and conditions , a lapse in concentration let Cleckheaton in for a simple try to close the lead , with both teams failing to bring their kicking boots the score moved to 5-10. Moments later Cleckheaton were in for a second unconverted try through more poor defending. The scores were all square at 10-10 and Keighley were in danger of undoing all their hard work.
The half time team talk was based on honesty, respect and keeping things simple , and with the elements in their favour for the second 40 Keighley needed to hit the ground running , which they did with the first play of the second half and were unlucky not to score after a nice break , and the ball going through several pairs of hands before finally being put to ground. Keighley looked the more inventive , being marshalled superbly by Andrew Marklew and Neil Jordan .
On 65 minutes a superb break by Jordan Powell who slipped an inside ball to Micky Phillips who scored at the side of the posts , certainly not an afternoon for kickers the score now 10-15. Keighley's pack were now turning the screw at every opportunity and dominating open play with man of the match Joe Emmott the pick of the pack. Keighley were now capitalising on Cleckheaton's mistakes , and on 72 minutes Andrew Marklew split the defence then slipped a neat pass to Jordan Powell who showed power and pace to beat several defenders to go in under the posts. A Marklew conversion made the final score 10-22. A well deserved win in which each player from 1-18 contributed in a fantastic team effort .
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