Saturday 16th February 2002
Shipley Trophy Round 3
Hoyland Vikings 16 Keighley Albion 60

With 3 new recruits from the Cubs U18s Albion ran ragged this South Yorkshire side.

The writing was on the wall from early on.  Dean Condren was surprised to get the ball from a short pass and was even more surprised to find that he was clean through!  However his pass to the supporting Roger Simpson was forward.

After 3 minutes of play Keith Dixon stole the ball in a one-on-one tackle and headed the 40 metres for the posts.  He also added the conversion.  In the set of six following this try a long Dixon pass picked out Dean Condren who drew the Hoyland winger to put Matt Bowness in the corner.

Throughout this early spell the recruits, James Feather (hooker), Richard Black (scrum-half) and Steve Craven (loose forward) were running the attack and defence with a skill that spoke hopefully for the future.  This instant understanding was slightly marred when James Feather had to go off after 15 minutes with injured ribs but with Matt Bowness going to acting half-back the Albion machine rolled on.

Keith Dixon wasn't just there to make up the numbers.  He switched direction at a play the ball and found Steve Craven running at a gap.  The loose forward then side-stepped over 20m to cross the line.  Dean Condren converted this time.  Spurred on by this example Richard Black shot through a gap and when confronted by the full back calmly put Gareth Greenbank over.  Dean Condren again added the extras.

The oldsters dragged themselves into the fray.  Neil Palmer stormed down the wing and put Matt Bowness free to go over.  A long pass from a penalty gave Dean Condren the space to skip over and he then converted his try.  This was the final score of the half and the team's turned round at 0-32.

More of the same was to follow in the second half.  A scrum near the home line saw the returning Aiden Blackburn create the space for Danny Brophy to score in the corner. 

With a strong defensive effort lead by the frequent calls of "No try" it didn't look likely that Hoyland would even get on the scoresheet.  However they did when a speculative kick to the corner produced a lucky bounce and then a try.  No conversion.

This started a Hoyland fightback interrupted when Keith Dixon intercepted and went 40m to score.  Steve Cullen showed his all-round ability by converting this one.  However the next score was the home side's with quick hands forcing a converted try in the corner.

Back to business as usual.  A 20m scrum produced a flurry of passes and Richard Black dropped Ian Spencer off to force his way over.  Dean Condren converted.  Steve Cullen saw a gap, calmly side-stepped through it and then went 50m to the line.  Dean Condren again added the kick.  Garry Boocock slipped a pass out from the tackle, Dean Condren threw out a long pass to Steve Cullen.  The loose-forward then released centre Roger Simpson to go on a 20m burst for the line.  Condren again converted.

The final word went to Hoyland.  Keith Dixon totally misjudged a high kick to the corner and the home side seized on this for a converted try.  Final score 16-60.

Next Saturday Albion 'A' are at Liversedge in the Pennine League.
Tim Cooper

 
Pos Expr1 Sponsor Profile Tries Goals DG
1 Dean Condren
Profile 1 6 0
2 Danny Brophy
Profile 1 0 0
3 Roger Simpson
Profile 1 0 0
4 Ayden Blackburn
Profile 0 0 0
5 Matthew Bowness
Profile 2 0 0
6 Keith Dixon
Profile 2 1 0
7 Richard Blackburn
Profile 0 0 0
8 Ian Spencer E.M.O Springs Profile 1 0 0
9 James Feather
Profile 0 0 0
10 Garry Boocock B & M Electrical Profile 0 0 0
11 Scott Bellamy
Profile 0 0 0
12 Gareth Greenbank E.M.O Springs Profile 1 0 0
13 Steve Cullen
Profile 2 1 0
14 Adam Eteson
Profile 0 0 0
15 Neil Palmer
Profile 0 0 0

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