Keighley U11s at the Keighley festival

Starting proceedings against Bradford and Bingley the team looked as though they would be having an early bath such was their lethargy on the pitch. To their credit the Bees gave them a stern test, making the hosts defend hard and preventing them from making ground. The game ended in a 0-0 stalemate.
In their second match the Keighley side fared much better, putting 21 unanswered points past Baildon. Tries came from Harvey Kemp whilst Tom Wilson bagged himself a brace through determined running. The outcome was never really in doubt as Keighley exerted their authority on the match. 21 – 0 to Keighley.
Further progress hinged upon the outcome of the final pool game against Old Rishworthians; a tough challenge. The match saw a battle royal and it was clear that the smallest opportunity could prove decisive, even though Keighley had the lion’s share of both territory and possession. Through sheer resilience and determination it was the home side who bagged the victory through a single Ryan Gibson try. 7 -0 to Keighley. This led to them topping the group in the pool stages and facing the runners up of pool B, Huddersfield.
Huddersfield had been chalking up some impressive scores in their pool and Keighley were all set for another stern test. This wasn’t to be however as their cohesion and pattern of play led to tries from Harvey Kemp, Liam Brookes and Ioan Shutt. The victory was well deserved and saw the team move into the final buoyant from their improvement over the day. 21 – 0 to Keighley
Unknown opposition faced them in the final match in the shape of visiting side Lymm. This match was to prove altogether a different ask of team rarely beaten this season. For all Lymm’s endeavour, however, the Keighley team took the game to them, attacking when they could and fronting up in defence. The slightest of errors was going to be the difference in this game and so it proved. A lapse of defensive concentration saw a try in the corner in the first half. In the second half, the unpredictable bounce of a rugby ball was the host’s undoing as they conceded again to finish runners up with 14 points against them.
A brave and valiant attempt from all still saw the collection of a trophy for the cabinet, but more important was the manner in which they approached the matches and the proving of the progress made this season.