Wednesday 10^th April 2002
Pennine League Division 3
Morley Borough 16 Keighley Albion ‘A’ 40

Albion showed a lot of skill and effort in both attack and defence at the South Leeds side.  This was despite an early start forcing a rapid leaving of work all round.

The opening stanza was the regular start for Albion nowadays.  Ferocious tackling from both sides meant that the efforts in attack came to nothing.  Ben Farrar was outstanding in defence but his eagerness meant conceding a penalty for offside after 12 minutes and the home kicker put them ahead with a penalty.

This spurred Albion on into attack and a short ball from Andy Parker sent Bobby Brown through a gap.  The centre went over in the corner which meant no conversion but Albion had a lead which they didn’t lose again.  This dominance was confirmed when Richard Blackburn and Steve Cullen combined to send Wayne Fradley in for his first Albion try next to the posts.  This time Steve Cullen added the conversion.

Albion still had to do their work in defence.  A home player forced his way over the line but full-back Colin Pickles and others ensured that he was held up.  Following the scrum Albion were under extreme pressure on their own line but Wayne Fradley shot out of the line, scooped up a long pass and ran off on a full-length interception try.  Not bad for his first full debut.  Steve Cullen added the extras which made the half-time score 2-16.

Morley weren’t daunted by the task facing them and started the half at pace.  This lead to a penalty in front of the Keighley posts for holding down which was duly converted.  The Albion response was sudden, the ball going through many pairs of hands before John Wood completed by going over for a try.  Dean Condren converted.

Again the South Leeds side came back and on 49 minutes another player managed to cross but was held on his back by a resolute defence.  Albion were still not bothered as drives from Ben Farrar, Bobby Brown and Scott Belamy took the ball near to the line and James Feather plunged over.  Dean Condren again added the kick.

The moment of attacking brilliance was still to come.  Steve Cullen chipped the ball with pin-point accuracy over the Morley defence, Bobby Brown came through at speed and gathered the ball on the run.  He was nailed short of the posts but a pass to the supporting Richard Blackburn gave the scrum-half an easy try.  Dean Condren again converted.

This score put Albion 20 points in the lead with 20 minutes to go and maybe they took their foot slightly off the gas.  Not much but there was enough leeway for Morley to pick up 2 converted tries, both acquired through a combination of pressure on the line and penalties awarded.

However James Feather removed any possible doubt with a scoot from the play-the-ball at 20m out.  This try with the conversion by Dean Condren sealed the match and sent the few Albion spectators home happy.

Next Saturday Albion are at Sowerby Spartans and on Wed 17^th at Liversedge.  Sat 20^th they are at Highfield to take on Sowerby at home k.o 2:30pm.
Tim Cooper

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