North Ribblesdale RUFC u14s v Keighley RUFC u14s

Keighley u14’s travelled to face North Ribb looking to continue their recent fine run of form and extend an unbeaten run to five which included a victory in the reverse fixture the week before.

Travelling with a squad of 21, Keighley had options for the starting 15.

Keighley started brighter than the home side sticking to the game plan and playing structured rugby. After Keighley won turnover ball from the kick off, Ethan Spencer crashed the ball up the middle. Excellent rucking from the back row trio of Kristian Bealey-Kay, Toby Stephens and Max Wild allowed scrum half Max Duncan to release his backs, who spread the ball wide to in-form winger Amrit Sharma scored a try out wide showing his defender a clean pair of heals. Conversion missed.

Keighley continued to dominate the first half with fine tries coming from centre Denon Sokee, Amrit Sharma again and opposite winger, Joey Van Suilichem. This gave the away side a handsome half time lead with two of these tries converted. Keighley played some excellent rugby and could have scored more points but the home side stood firm and defended doggedly.

Half time: North Ribb 0 Keighley 24

The second half started in much the same way. A glorious take and 50m storming run from replacement second row Johnny Atherton put the away side on the front foot. After props Sam Mortimer and Kieran Watts secured clean ball, stand-off Nathan Pickles hit Denon Sokee, who in turn shipped the ball to Van Suilichem who stepped two defenders and scored untouched.

Keighley continued to dominate in the loose with Arron Hands all over the field and strong carries from the in-form duo of Harry Worstead and Charlie Menzies. Following another attack Amrit Sharma crossed for his third of the day and 10th try in four games.
Credit to the home side for their resilience. Following a strong break and a nice offload, their number 8 crossed for a deserved try. But Keighley responded well with Mason Sokee now at full back carrying well, it allowed his brother Denon to race 60m with a couple of dummies to score.

Keighley brought on influential prop Sam Usman to solidify the scrum and after a nice pass from replacement scrum-half Gregor Curr, captain Nathan Pickles crossed untouched.

Final score: North Ribb 7 Keighley 44

After a difficult start to the season, Keighley have won six of their last eight games. They will look to continue this good form when they welcome Ilkley to Rose Cottage next week, hoping to avenge the 20-5 defeat earlier in the season and maintain their unbeaten start to 2017.