Saturday 9th March 2002
NATIONAL CONFERENCE LEAGUE DIV 2
KEIGHLEY ALBION 0 NORMANTON KNIGHTS 44

Albion’s visitors to Cougar Park were Normanton Knights who are currently placed in mid table.

Albion’s start was made even harder when they gave away a penalty for offside in the 2^nd minute of the game, and Knights Ian Morse converted the penalty goal to give his team an early lead of 0 – 2 points. Albion came back strongly and a good break out of defence by Kris Kirk who drew the full back before passing to the backing up Andy Bowness who looked like scoring but a last ditch tackle stopped him short of the try line. The Knights then pushed up field and made Albion pay for the missed chance, and following a good set of play’s Kevin Price put Jason Blackley in for a try, Ian Morse added the goal to give a score line of Albion 0 – Knights 8 points on the 6^th minute mark.

Martin Fryers and Kris Kirk were testing out the Knights defence with some good foraging runs, but some poor passing and the wrong tactics let them down.   The Knights for their part were trying to play open rugby, but Albion’s defence led by Gareth Greenbank Steve Wrench managed to keep them at bay. Albion at this time although behind were actually the better side, but were let down in the end by a couple of blunders by the ref who mysteriously ruled out 2 possible try scoring chances by not allowing the advantage to be played. From a similar decision the Knights punished Albion further when they scored a breakaway try through scrum half Craig Mould who waltzed through Albion defence to score a try under the posts, Ian Morse added the goal to give a score line of Albion 0 points to the Knights 14 points on 39 minutes. This was also the half time score. It had been a good half for Albion until the last score of the half, HALF TIME SCORE ALBION 0 – KNIGHTS 14 points.

Playing down the slope in the 2^nd half the Knights were soon on the attack and a good wide ball from Simon Hill saw substitute Mark Webster charge over for a try, Ian Morse added the goal to put the Knights further in front at Albion 0 – Knights 20 points on 44 minutes. Albion suffered another blow as Rob Bailey was binned for an indescression during the scoring of the try.

For Albion worse was to come as from a scum on the 22 line the Knights Simon Hill went on a diagonal run that saw him outpace the Albion defenders to score a try in the corner, no goal to add but it was now Albion 0 –Knights 24 on 49 minutes. Albion were on the back foot at this time despite some heroic tackling from Steve Wrench and Gareth Greenbank in defence. The Knights were on a roll and Craig Mould scored his 2^nd try of the game from 35 metres out, Ian Morse added the goal to show a score line of Albion 0 to the Knights 30 points in the 52^nd minute.

The Keighley side for their part were still trying to make a game of it with Martin Fryers and Kris Kirk involved in most of Albion’s attacking plays. But more tries came and it was Simon Hill again who provided a short ball that saw Lee Maskill score an unconverted try to put the Knights ahead with a score of Albion 0 –Knights 34 points on 54 minutes. They scored again when a chip through saw the ball come back off the post and into Kevin Prices hands for him to dive over for a try, Ian Morse added the goal to show the score at Albion 0 – Knights 40 on 58 minutes.

Albion then got back into attacking mode and the Knights defence were made to work hard, and a chip through by Kris Kirk was kicked ahead by Andy Bowness only to see it hit the post and allow the Knights to kick the ball out of play in the 65^th minute. From the drop out Albion were on the attack again and following more good play the Knights were forced to kick the ball dead again. This was not enough to wear the Knights down and in the 77^th minute they rubbed salt into Albion’s wounds when Simon Hill sent centre Richard Stead in for a well taken try, no goal to add but it was now Albion 0 points the Knights 44 points, this was also the final score.

The result was a bitter blow for Albion who’s 1^st half showing went by the board as the Knights 5 tries and 3 goals in a 15 minute period killed the game for Albion. For the Knights prop Phil Newsome took their Man of the Match award closely followed by Simon Hill and 6 goals to  Ian Morse. Although disappointed Albion were well served by Man of the Match Martin Fryers, Kris Kirk, Gareth Greenbank and Steve Wrench. It had been a high scoring game and entertaining for the spectators, but never the less it was another heavy defeat for Albion, Final score Albion 0 – Knights 44.

Albion now have a week off before playing away to York Acorn on the 23^rd of March, before returning to Cougar Park for the last League game against Millom from Cumbria on the 30^th with a 2-30 pm Kick off.
Terry Caddy.

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