Keighley U13's 22 Skipton 15

The spectators this week were treated to visual feast from both teams which was only decided during the dying seconds of the match, however, things began badly for Keighley, when despite having all the early pressure, they were set back on their heels when a fine handling movement, involving all the Skipton backs led to the winger scoring a try from his own 22 metres line.

Keighley, this week, did not fold and immediately went back on the attack with Max Humphrey and Billy Marklew continually at the fore front, aided by some fine looping runs by Nick Holroyd, this led to Skipton conceding a penalty just outside their 22, which Ben took quickly, passing to Connor Part, who ran through the entire Skipton defence to score under the posts. Nick put over the conversion.

As was typical of this seesaw of a game, Skipton retaliated with period of pressure themselves, Keighley held out through some enthusiastic tackling from both backs and forwards. However, Skipton finally managed to barge over from 3 metres to retake the lead.

The next 10 mins, up to half time, saw both teams having a period of domination with Skipton pinching Keighley ball at vital times and Keighley continuing to tackle relentlessly, Max being prominent, whenever Skipton threatened their line. The half time score was a close and exciting 7 – 10, to the visitors.

The second half began as the first half had finished , with Skipton’s large no 15 being the centre of many Skipton attacks, again Keighley continued to tackle bravely, which was summed up when Connor Part chased down Skipton’s no 15 knocking the ball from his hands with a superb tackle, just as the Skipton player crossed the try line. Eventually, some marvellous Skipton play led to their 3rd try right by the corner flag.

This week a different Keighley had come out to play and there was going to be no capitulation, though the game continued to fluctuate, Keighley began to play more as a team, with the pack winning good ball and the backs throwing it to their wings. Players actually started looking for their support, the ball flowing continually from one side of the pitch to the other until the Skipton defence cracked and Connor went in for his second try of the game. Skipton responded by going on the offence themselves, but again Keighley stifled each attach with some wonderful tackling from everybody, but particularly Matt Wood (who had his best game of the season), Ben, Max and both Connors. Whilst Nathan Raja, Billy and Joseph Wells wrestled hard in the forwards, unfortunately, Joseph had to leave the pitch with an injured leg.

Finally, all this hard work paid off, when Declan McLaren initiated a handling movement involving all the backs, finishing with a kick and chase, and Matt beating the defence to the ball and scoring in the corner, which meant Keighley had taken the lead for the first time since their opening score early in the match.

From the kick off Keighley instantly asserted more pressure on the opposition’s defence, the forwards continually winning any loose ball and on one of these occasions the ball was kicked over the Skipton line where Matt dropped on it to score his second try of the match right on the final whistle.

This was a fabulous game by two well matched sides and much enjoyed by all the spectators. Keighley finally turning up for both halves, and although tries put the score on the board, this game was won by the fine tackling by all the Keighley players (WELL DONE LADS!!!).