Saturday 2^nd March 2002
NATIONAL CONFERENCE LEAGUE DIV 2
KEIGHLEY ALBION 14 HEWORTH 23

Albion’s opponents for today’s game at Ryshworth Park are Heworth from York, who are in a mid table position. With Albion still looking for that elusive first win of the season. Albion started well and had the Heworth defence on red alert as Andy Parker and Ben Farrar drove deep into the visitors 22 metre area, but a dropped pas let them off the hook.

Then Heworth turned the tables on Albion who now had to defend and Steve Wrench and Ben Farrar were in the thick of the tacklers, but in their eagerness to prevent another attack taking place they were caught offside, and Heworths Dave Carling slotted over the penalty goal to give them a 0 to 2 points early advantage on 9 minutes. But the Keighley side hit back straight away and some good approach play by Andy Bowness and Kris Kirk saw Gareth Greenbank send Ian Spencer in for a try from short range, the goal attempt was wide of the posts but Albion had taken a 5 points to 2 points lead on 11 minutes.

It was tit for tat at this stage of the game, but Heworths Carl Potter and Jason Gatus took the game to Albion and an outrageous dummy from Sam Clarke saw him split the defence to score a try by the posts, Dave Carling added the goal to show a score line of Albion 4 points – Heworth 8 points in the 14^th minute.  Both teams were defensively strong at this time as both teams looked to increase their points tally, but it was Heworth who broke the deadlock when a good passage of play led to Jason Gatus going in for a try wide out, no goal to add score line is now 4- 12 in Heworths favour on the 26^th minute mark.

Albion then mounted a series of attacks and were unfortunate not to score when Gareth Greenbank and Martin Fryers combined to send Andy Bowness in for what appeared to be a try, but the Ref blew for an alleged forward pass. From the scrum Heworths Carl Potter pushed Albion back onto the defensive with a long kick up field to put the pressure back on Albion, and it was Carl Potter who dropped a goal to give his side the extra point to make the score Albion 4 points – Heworth 13 on 35 minutes.

Albion were soon back on the attack and from a quickly taken tap penalty they got the ball wide to Andy Parker who sent Kris Kirk charging in at the corner for a well taken try, no goal to add but Albion had closed the gap at 8 points to 13 on 38 minutes. This was also the half time score in a half where Albion were behind they had given as good as they got.
Half time score Albion 8 points – Heworth 13 points.

Albion playing up the slope in the 2^nd half took the game straight back into the Heworth half with a good run from Ben Farrar from the kick off, but they lost control of the ball. This gave the advantage back to the visitors allowing them back on the attack and they punished Albion further when loose forward Mark Green nipped in from acting half back to score a try, no goal to add but the score is now Albion 8 – Heworth 17 on 48 minutes.

The Keighley side attacked again through Andy Bowness and Steve Wrench working hard to try and set up another score. Then following an incident around the play the ball area Martin Fryers was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes, and from the penalty Dave Carling converted the penalty goal to put his side further in front at 8 points to 19 on 53 minutes.

Albion were not out of it yet and came back strongly, Chris Brookes joined in the attack and his weighted chip kick over the Heworth defence saw Andy Bowness reach the ball first who the beat off the full back before scoring a try under the posts, Kris Kirk added the goal to make it Albion 14 points to Heworths 19 on the 56^th minute.

This had given the visitors a shock and they had to work overtime in defence as Albion poured forward in an attempt to gain more points but they weathered the storm. Following a turn over Heworth got back on the attack and Carl Potters short ball to Jason Gatus saw him plunge over the try line for his 2^nd try of the game, no goal to add but the score was now Albion 14 points to Heworths 23 on 60 minutes.

The last 20 minutes of the game turned into a dour affair as both teams unable to take control of the game although the both created chances, but the defences held firm and solid. Indeed the only bright spot of this period was when Albion’s Kris Kirk and Heworths Dave Carking were sent to the bin for allegedly fighting (handbags).

Albion had given everything and at times looked the better side but it was Heworth who had scored the most points. Jason Gatus with 2 tries took the Heworth Man of the Match award closely followed by Carl Potter and Mick Harrison. For Albion Andy Parker had led by example but it was Gareth Greenbank who took his side Man of the Match award with Steve wrench and Andy Bowness picking up the players player awards. Final score Albion 14 points –Heworth 23.

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