Saturday 30th March 2002
Pennine League Division 3
Greetland All Rounders 26 Keighley Albion 'A' 36

In unusual mild weather for the top of the Pennines at Greetland, Albion came back from a poor first half to show that they had the staying power to win.

It didn't start off with the Keighley side looking weak.  James Feather was bossing from acting half back and tackling ferociously in the middle.  On 9 minutes Richard Blackburn sent Steve Cullen through a small gap 50m out and the stand-off was unlucky to not clear the full-back.  This lead to a penalty for holding down in the tackle and it took a strong, accurate kick from Dean Condren to give Albion an early start.

This didn't last long.  Penalties for Greetland took them down the pitch and it wasn't long before a converted try occurred.  Weak Albion tackling and more penalties lead to 2 more tries being leaked until Craig Livock used a clean break to put Richard Blackburn away.  Shortly after this a short ball from Glen Palmer put Livock straight over by the posts.  Dean Condren converted to make the score at the break 16-8.

The restart went as bad as possible for Albion.  Greetland kicked off, Albion knocked on.  From the scrum the home centre just ran through over 20m to score under the posts.  The conversion was a formality.

However the Keighley side hit back.  Craig Livock made another clean break and though he was hauled down short the confusion in the Greetland defence meant that Glen Palmer could stroll over in the corner.  Dean Condren added the difficult conversion.  Shortly after, Richard Blackburn went through and then passed to send Craig Livock over from 10m out.  Dean Condren again converted.

Albion were only 2 points adrift now and were all over Greetland.  A long Chris Brookes pass put Dean Condren in at the corner but the referee called it forward.  Craig Livock made a clean break but his pass to put Scott Belamy clear was wayward.

On 69 minutes, Simon Kelk and Chris Brookes showed their experience when clever passing and running between them put Kelk clear.  However the player-coach showed his age and the need to stick to coaching by being caught 20m out.  This again lead to disarray in the home defence and a long pass from Richard Blackburn gave Garry Boocock the space to go in the corner.  Dean Condren easily hit the difficult conversion.

The showboating moment then followed.  Wayne Fradley, playing his debut for Albion, made a 20m break from deep in his half and released Richard Blackburn clear with 50m to go.  The cover caught up with him and made a lot of high tackles but he ducked under and shot round them all to go in by the posts.  Dean Condren converted.  Richard Blackburn made it a brace of tries, running onto a short pass from Glen Palmer.  No conversion but with 5 minutes to go it hardly mattered.  Greetland did manage a consolation try at the death.

Next Saturday Albion are at home to Stainland at Highfield.
Tim Cooper

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