Saturday 10th November 2001
NATIONAL CONFERENCE LEAGUE DIV 2
KEIGHLEY ALBION 24 COTTINGHAM TIGERS 26

Rob Haughey tries to break free
Picture by Trevor Smith

Albion’s opponents this week were Cottingham Tigers from Humberside who are mid table in this highly competitive division. Albion started the better of the two sides but it was the Tigers who were first on the scoreboard when a good break out of defence saw Gary Mowforth send his winger Paul Campbell on a 40 metre run for the line outpacing the Albion defenders on the way to score a try under the posts, John Pritchard adding the goal to put the Tigers 6 nil in front on 4 minutes.

The Keighley side then got a grip on the game and on the back of some good defence they turned it into attack and pressurized the Tigers line.  Then on the last tackle Gareth Greenbank fed Ian Spencer who crashed over for a try by the posts, Kris Kirk added the goal to tie up the scores at 6 apiece on 13 minutes.

Gareth Greenbank hands off
Picture by Trevor Smith

From the deep kick Albion had to defend their line with Craig Morphett and Gareth Greenbank leading the defence. The Tigers then scored again when good play by Lee Craig created a gap for Ian Robinson to score a try in the corner, the goal attempt was of the target but the Tigers now led by 6 points to10 on 20 minutes. They then hit Albion again this time with a long range try that passed through at least 6 pairs of hands before Paul Hatton charged over for a try, John Pritchard added the goal to give the scores at Albion 6 points Tigers 16 on 22 minutes. The Tigers had hit a purple patch and Albion were defending desperately to keep them out but some more good play saw John Pritchard score a try in the corner, his goal attempt was way off the mark but the Tigers were in front by 6 points to 20 in the 25^th minute.

Craig Livock looks to offload
Picture by Trevor Smith

Albion then got their attack into gear and Neil Jordan and Kris Kirk made good progress up field into the Tigers 22 and something had to give, as Albion poured forward and on the last tackle Neil Jordan broke the Tigers line and the sent Kris Kirk over for a well taken try, the goal attempt was off the target but it was now Albion 10 points to the Tigers 20 on 30 minutes.

Craig Morphett hits it up
Picture by Trevor Smith

Albion then hit them again this time when Craig Livocks break set up Kris Kirk whose pass then allowed Chris Atkins to go in at the corner for a try, again no goal to add but Albion were back in contention at 14 – 20 on 33minutes. Albion had hit the Tigers hard and brought themselves back into the game, but a silly penalty in front of the posts that was converted by John Pritchard in the 37^th minute gave the Tigers more breathing space at 14 points to 22. This was also the Half Time score it had been a fast and furious half with both teams playing some exciting open rugby, although the Tigers had the lead at this stage Albion were far from being down and out after forcing themselves back in to the game.
Half Time score Albion 14 points Tigers 22.

Mark Adams puts on a step
Picture by Trevor Smith

From the restart Albion were on to the attack and good work from Steve Wrench and Sam Broadley saw Albion in the Tigers half of the field.  On the last tackle Mark Kellett put up a bomb that the Tigers full back put down under pressure from the chasing Albion players and as it bobbled over the line Craig Morphett was first to the ball to score a well taken try under the posts.  Kris Kirk added the goal to give the score line of Albion 20 points to the Tigers 22 on 42 minutes.

Craig Morphet hands off
Picture by Trevor Smith

Albion were at this time all over the Tigers like a rash and another Mark Kellett kick behind the Tigers defence saw Kris Kirk score a very good try in the corner, the goal kick was off target but for the first time in the game Albion were in front with a score line of Albion 24 points to the Tigers 22 in the 45^th minute. The Tigers were having a torrid time in defence and were struggling to get out of their own half. But a couple of penalties allowed them a brief respite, as Craig Morphett and Steve Wrench were pounding forward.

But the Tigers were still in the game and they rallied their defence to keep Albion out it was a period of defensive play for both teams as the game went too and fro, but Albion could not breach the Tigers line and at this stage the Tigers looked a spent force, but another penalty to the Tigers helped the come up field and back in to the game. It was Albion turn to defend again and an attempted interception gave the Tigers another six tackles and on the last of the set Tigers Andy Tovey dived over from acting half back for a try wide out, the goal attempt was off target but the Tigers were back in front at 24 – 26 on 69 minutes.

Gareth Greenbank looks for the gap
Picture by Trevor Smith

Both sides fought hard to get more points but the score remained the same as the full time whistle went. The Tigers had taken the spoils in this highly entertaining game and in their Man of the Match Gary Mowforth was well supported by Paul Hatton and John Pritchard. Albion on the other hand had given everything and to pull back from a 20 points to 6 advantage showed that their had been no lack of effort only the killer touch eluded them when they had the Tigers reeling at 24 – 22. The game breakers were the 37^th minute penalty and the back-to-back sets of six in the 69^th minute. Mark Kellett was Albion’s Man of the Match, but it was not a game for the faint hearted with Craig Morphett, Kris Kirk and Gareth Greenbank playing their part, but it still left Albion looking for that first elusive win. Final Score Albion 24 points- Cottingham Tigers 26.

Next Week Albion travel away to Dewsbury Moor Kick off 2-00pm.
Terry Caddy.  

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