Mother’s Pride – Keighley U10s at Old Rishworthians

Keighley set off across the wilderness in search of a club hidden in the depths of Halifax with heavy hearts and full of self pity. A combination of factors had left them with a severely depleted team and from a full squad of fifteen players the most that they could hope for was eight.
The shining sun gave rays of hope for the test that lay ahead. After gathering momentum over the past weeks, despite the efforts of the Arctic weather, Keighley had been focused on carrying on where they left last off – winning. However, the phrase ‘reality bites’ hung over them like a dark cloud.
As they warmed up and began to put in the preparation work their two opponents for the morning were playing out a bruising encounter. A stern test was in the offing...

Game 1:
Littleborough U10s 15 Keighley U10s 20 (at Old Rishworthians)

Nerves jangled and nails were bitten as the Keighley side took to the field. Skipper for the day Alex Wormersley led his team onto the field, he himself playing up an age grade from the under nines to allow the team to put out a full team.
As the first few minutes ticked away it was clear that all worries were unfounded. The team played with an energy and a determination not seen for many a month. Their cohesion and team support was phenomenal , as was their determination to defend their own line.
The defensive effort forced their opponents to drive, drive, drive but they were stunned as every run was repelled by fierce tackling. Robert Paul and Samuel Grant prevented attacks on numerous occasions, taking the ball as well as the man whilst also making strong, hard yards going forward themselves. They were complemented by Josh Wisaur in the pack whose strength enabled virtually every scrum to be won, whether with own ball or against the head.
William Hancock grew in confidence throughout the game, shielding the ball in attack and shepherding runners out to touch. Harry Gallagher and Samuel Grant were both denied tries by the referee which would surely have led to much greater things.
As it was the resilience could not hold out the opposition runners forever though. Gradually their size began to tell as they scored through direct play. For everything thrown at them, however, Keighley more than matched it. Matthew Paul at scrum half was able to get quick ball away which found Ryan Gibson in the back line. The ability to pass the ball wide, look for openings and run around the defensive line gained the team a deserved four tries – all from Ryan Gibson himself who showed both clean heals and dancing feet to cross the whitewash.
All in all the team deserved their win and deserved the plaudits afterwards too!