Sheffield U13's v Keighley RUFC U13's

Keighley Squad
Harvey Bird
Lennon Curr
Bobby Darbyshire
Alex Feather
James Field
Harry Gould
Leon Hobson-Sheriff
Ethan Lawrie
Joss McArthur
Jack McHugh
Thomas Richardson
Jack Rodbourne
Zachary Scott
Luis Spragg
Josh Tenniswood
Keir Welch
Aaron Wilson

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A Stormy Sheffield Sunday

With the inclement weather threatening to spoil proceedings, the eagerly awaited first-ever fixture against Sheffield was always looking like a battle of the packs!

Eager to bounce back following last week’s reversal against Wharfedale, the Keighley forwards started with real purpose and it wasn’t long before they had their noses in front when after winning a scrum against the head on their opposing 22, Keir Welch fed the ball to eventual Coaches Player of the Day, Alex Feather to illustrate his strength to twist over the line to score. Lennon Curr adding the conversion.
Sheffield 0 – Keighley 7

The difficult conditions played a significant part in the shape of the game but Keighley’s patience was rewarded when again their powerful pack drove forward in the scrum, the ball feeding back by their second row pairing of Harry Gould and Jack McHugh to Welch who popped the ball left to Curr and on to James Field who’s recovered fumble with the wing side at his mercy allowed McHugh to pick and sprint to the line almost unopposed. Curr again adding the 2 points.
Sheffield 0 – Keighley 14

Keighley pressure kept the Sheffield squad firmly planted in their own half and another scrum won on the 22 led to further power plays by Captain Ethan Lawrie aided by a rejuvenated Joss McArthur produced the platform for Jack Rodbourne to power over to further increase the Keighley advantage. Curr again successful with the boot from in front of the posts.
Sheffield 0 – Keighley 21

Keighley’s rucking power was beginning to tell and their forwards were closing down every Sheffield move. Harvey Bird in the maul was becoming increasingly involved and Lawrie in typical swashbuckling style powered over from another Keighley drive to score. Zac Scott took over kicking duties out wide but his kick didn’t quite make it over the bar.
Sheffield 0 – Keighley 26

Having been camped in the right ¼ of the Sheffield half for a number of plays, Leon Hobson-Sheriff’s pressure and vision paid dividends when the ball broke from another strong Keighley drive from 10m out gifting him the chance to power over and touch down between the posts. Curr’s 100% record was gone when from distance he failed to split the post.
Sheffield 0 – Keighley 31

From the re-start, Sheffield failed to make ground and despite poor handling from Keighley’s backs, Rodbourne dipped and picked a potential Sheffield knock on just inside the Keighley ½ and the prop then proceeded to show a clean pair of heels to Sheffield’s errant defence to touch down. Curr added a further 2 points.
Sheffield 0 – Keighley 38

To stop the points haemorrhage, the Sheffield Coaches made wholesale changes bringing on ½ a squad of fresh players to confront the difficult conditions and attempt to stave off a crushing defeat and for the first time in the game, they put Keighley under real pressure deep in their half and managed to force a handling error in the corner stealing in to score. Conversion missed.
Sheffield 5 – Keighley 38 – HALF TIME

With the Keighley pack tiring after dominating for the entire first half, the second period was a more evenly balanced affair. On 40 minutes after trading play and territory, Sheffield made their most decisive play of the game forcing McHugh to pass behind the gain line to Bobby Darbyshire behind the posts and the diminutive full back, with the wind and rain in his face unfortunately gifted the Sheffield winger the ball from his hurried clearance kick that hung in the air against the wind. Conversion made from in front of the posts.
Sheffield 12 – Keighley 38

Keighley pushed forward once more from the re-start and were unlucky to have had what appeared to be a valid shout for another try, this time by Tom Richardson on for the injured Field when Curr was adjudged to have passed forward. However the continual pressure told on Sheffield’s defensive formation and Keighley once again won a scrum against the head on the 5m line with Hobson-Sheriff once more showing his guile and strength to power over the line. Curr failed to add to his kicking tally against the wind.
Sheffield 12 – Keighley 43

Keighley battened down the hatches and defended the last 5 minutes with strength and endeavour, reposting repeated Sheffield attacks to run out deserved winners.
Sheffield 12 – Keighley 43 – FULL TIME

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Coaches Comments
This was a total forwards game today and it shows clearly as our backs didn’t really have the opportunity to show their pace, particularly out wide. Scott, Darbyshire and Josh Tenniswood all played well when given clean ball and Curr made some decisive kicks in open play. McArthur, Luis Spragg and Feather all owned their opposite numbers; Lawrie and Hobson-Sheriff again showing excellent endeavour. Good preparation for next weeks’ visit to Bradford & Bingley Bees in the 2nd Round of the Yorkshire Cup where we need to be on our game.
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GMF - 03/11/13