Yorkshire Cup round 1 : Keighley U15 vs Aireborough U15

Aireborough started the cup clash in a positive way driving the home side back into their 22.
A scrambled defence and under pressure clearance kick resulted in an Aireborough line out midfield.
Secure line out ball was fed along the line and the Aireborough outside centre made a jinking run, splitting the Keighley defence to cross the line.
The conversion was good.

0 - 7

The restart was short and high, Jack 'Goose' McHugh used his pace and size to reclaim the ball.
Good hands all the way along the backline and Aaron 'Boris' Wilson scored out wide on the left.
The conversion attempt was just short.

5 - 7

Aireborough pressurised Keighley from the restart.
The Ball changed possesion numerous times with no clear advantage untill Leon Hobson-Sheriff picked up the ball from the base of a Keighley scrum and broke to halfway before being put into touch.
The Aireborough line out was stolen by Joss McArthur and Keir Welch used the quick clean ball to dart to the Borough 22.
Jack 'Rodders' Rodbourne and Luis Spragg combined well to drive towards the line, Jack'Rodders' Rodbourne powering over to score.
Again the conversion dropped short.

10 - 7

Keighleys concentration lapsed at the restart and a knock on gave Borough a scrum on the Keighley 22
Aireborough secured the ball and spun it along the backline.
Keighleys defence held firm and strong tackling and support produced a turnover, great hands along the backs returned the ball to the visitors 22.
Scrappy play by Keighley presented Aireborough with a penalty.
Quick ball and good hands saw the Aireborough backs cross again, the conversion was a formality

10 - 14

Keighleys heads did not drop and Josh 'Princess' Slingsby pressured the restart and secured the ball.
Backs and forwards combined in a great passage of play, Borough eventually conceding apenalty on their 22.
Ethan Lawrie thumped the ball between the uprights.

13 - 14

Once again midfield stalemate untill a break from Ethan Lawrie supported by Josh 'Princess' Slingsby advanced Keighley to the Aireborough 22.
The ball flew along the Keighley backline in a fine display of handling and Joss McArthur smashed over for another 5 points.
Ethan Lawrie added the conversion.

20 - 14

Halftime 20 - 14

In the second half the midfield battle was renewed with posession see sawing between teams.
Keighley put a testing kick to the Aireborough 22 and chased well.
Good handling from Aireborough was equal to the task and the ball flew from hand to hand and a show of pace was rewarded with a try that was duly converted.

20 - 21

Keighleys heads dipped slightly and concentration lapsed.
Aireborough took advantage of this and returned the restart, breaking half hearted tackles and scoring out wide.
The conversion dropped short.

20 - 26

Inspiring words behind the posts and Keighley chased and secured the restart.
Great awareness from Zach Scott saw him hoist an up and under.
Lennon 'Bam Bam' Curr reacted well and gave chase, recovering the ball and showing a turn of speed he won the race for the line adding another 5 points.
Ethan Lawrie drilled the conversion between the posts.

27 - 26

Once again Keighley sat back and Arieborough regained possesion from the restart.
backs and forwards combined well and left the Keighley defence flat footed to dive over for 5.
Again the conversion was good.

27 - 33

Keighley responded to the challenge and raised their game.
The restart scramble gave Aireborough a scrum. The Keigley pack drove Aireborough from the ball.
Discipline slipped and tempers flared, Captains and the Referee restored order for the game to continue.
Keighley whipped the ball along the backline.
Borough conceded a penalty and Keighley quickly sent the ball back along the line to the other side of the pitch and James 'Fingers' Field crossed the whitewash to reduce the deficit to one point.
The conversion attempt was just short.

32 - 33

Both teams redoubled their efforts, midfield deadlock ensued untill Keighley broke to outside the Aireborough 22.
A knock on and a scrum won by Aireborough allowed a clearance kick to halfway.
Keighley won the lineout and sucessive drives moved the ball to within 3m of the Borough line before being bundled to touch.
The Keighley forwards stole the lineout ball and piled in to smash over the line with Jack 'Rodders' Robourne emerging with the ball
The conversion fell short.

37 - 33

Aireborough did not lie down.
frantic battling for the ball around halfway ate up the final minutes untill the refereeblew for time.

Full Time 37 - 33

Captains Comment: Nico Mori
'I thought we had a great game and a good win but we made it harder than it was. Still a few things to work on but Well Done Lads!!'