Saturday 20th April 2002
Pennine League Division 3
Keighley Albion 'A' 30 Sowerby Spartans 24

Albion looked to have thrown away this match with a lacklustre first half performance but they finally delivered in a close and entertaining fight-back after the break.

In the opening minutes Sowerby got the early lead when they benefited from a rather harsh penalty for not playing the ball correctly.  The referee was soon generous in Albion's favour by allowing a "back to one" decision from a kick and James Feather shot over from a short play the ball a few tackles later.  No conversion but Albion looked like contenders in the first 5 minutes.

This impression didn't last long.  Sowerby soon cottoned on to the winning formula, keep the ball tight for 5 drives and kick downfield, the mistakes are sure to come.  And sure enough the Albion mistakes came at regular 10 minute intervals.  The first one on 10 minutes, a lost ball and the centre strolled in straight from the scrum.  Next one a penalty and some pressure on the Keighley line lead to another try.  The most embarrassing was the slow motion break by the Sowerby centre which lead to a 60m try.  Just before half-time another break followed by an astute kick and chase lead to an unconverted try.  All this meant Albion turned round 4-20 down.

Whatever coach Simon Kelk said at half-time it certainly worked.  Albion came out with a much more positive attitude.  In defence Ben Farrar, Garry Boocock and Steve Wrench bottled up the middle and snuffed out all the Sowerby attacks and it wasn’t long before the young half-backs James Feather, Richard Blackburn and Steve Cullen started to boss the attack.

After 12 minutes of the second half this started to pay off.  Ben Farrar went on a strong run over 40m and when he was finally hauled down a sharp pass out gave Scott Belamy the room to go over in the corner.  Mark Kellett was not daunted by the difficult touchline kick and added the conversion.

A few minutes later Glen Palmer sent his brother Neil through a small gap and he slipped the ball from the tackle to the supporting Scott Belamy to give the second-rower his second try.  Again Mark Kellett converted to put Albion only 4 points adrift.

Before Sowerby touched the ball again they had gone behind.  Ben Farrar followed up his strong run by doing another, but going to the try-line this time.  The charge was over 30m swatting off several would-be tacklers.  Mark Kellett converted to give Albion a 2 point lead with 20 minutes still to go.

With this lead the sizeable crowd expected the Keighley side to run away with it.  However Sowerby had not read this script and soon ran in a try of their own in the corner.  No conversion but the visitors were back in front.

It took another 10 minutes of good attacking rugby for Albion to take the lead again.  Fast passing along the line gave Danny Brophy the space to go in at the corner.  The game was finally sealed at the last minute when a Glen Palmer drop-goal attempt bounced off the post and Scott Belamy was quickest to react to pick up his first Albion hat-trick.

This victory confirms Albion will finish at least third in Pennine Division 3 and they are breathing on the necks of Dodsworth who are 4 points ahead with 2 games to play while Albion have 4 games remaining.  
Tim Cooper

See the current Pennine League table

Return to the home page