Saturday 17th November 2001
NATIONAL CONFERENCE LEAGUE DIV 2
DEWSBURY MOOR 30 KEIGHLEY ALBION 10

Albion travelled to Dewsbury Moor for this week’s game looking to build on the efforts of last week’s game. Moor on the other hand were looking to get back into winning ways after last weeks reversal. Injuries to key players saw Ben Farrar start at No 8 and Craig Livock at No 6.

The early exchanges were fast and furious with both sides probing looking for the first points of the game, Albion did not do themselves any favours with a couple of penalties against them that gave Moor the upper hand, this then led to Moor taking an early lead when a Julian Yarrow break saw send winger Steve McNamara in for a try, no goal to add but the home side had a 4 points to nil lead on 9 minutes.

But from the kick off Moor scored again with a long range try started by Shaun Kaye in his own 22 area before feeding Julian Yarrow on the half way line who then went the distance to score a try by the post’s, Andy Robinson added the goal to show a score line of Moor 10 points Albion nil in the 11^th minute.

The Keighley side then got themselves into the game with some good play by Craig Morphett, Steve Wrench and Ben Farrar all making good yards into the Moor 22, Andy Bowness`s kicking had the Moor on the defensive with Chris Atkins and Rob Haughey chasing down the home sides defenders to keep them pinned in there 22 area. On the other side of the park Kris Kirk and Rob Bailey combined well causing problems without any great threats as the Moor defence held firm.

Moors attacks were less frequent as they repeatedly kicked out of defence, Neil Jordan field the kicks and made good yards up field. From the pressure on the Moor line Albion gained possession from the scrum and Craig Morphett picked up the ball from the base of the scrum in a set move that allowed him to go within 2 metres of the try line before sending Chris Atkins in for a well worked try, Kris Kirk kicked the goal to show a score of Moor 10 points –Albion 6 in the 24^th minute.

However in the dying minutes of the game Albion were caught out when Moor’s centre Steve Beard scored a well taken try wide out, there was no goal to add but Moor led by 14 points to 6. This was also the half time score were Albion’s efforts had been let down by giving away too many penalties, but at 14 – 6 they were still in the game with a chance.
HALF TIME DEWSBURY MOOR 14 – KEIGHLEY ALBION 6.

Albion kicked off the 2^nd half deep into the Moor half putting them on the defensive, but a penalty for holding down by Albion, they relieved the pressure with a long kick for touch, from the resulting tap Steve Beard sliced through Albion’s defenders on a diagonal run that saw him score a try in the corner, again no goal to add but Moor had increased their lead to 18 points to 6 on 44 minutes.

Albion then hit back in the best possible manner when Neil Jordan linked up into the attacking line and his break saw him off-load the ball to Rob Bailey who scored a very good try in the corner, no goal but at 18 – 10 in the home side favour Albion were back in the game with a bang on 48 minutes. For the next 20 or so minutes both side played some exciting open rugby with both sides going close, but both defences were in good form and neither team looked confident of taking control of the game.

Albion were then caught by the sucker punch when on the last tackle a desperate last ditch kick saw Moors Dave Whitaker score the game breaking try, Andy Robinson added the goal to show Moor 24 points to Albion’s 10 in the 74^th minute. Then as the game entered the last minute a high kick from Moor saw their attackers out jump Albion’s defence in move that saw Rob Blakeway score a try by the posts, Andy Robinson kicking the goal to give a final score of Moor 30 points to Albion’s 10 as the final whistle went.

Albion had always looked to be in with a chance of winning but the 2 tries in the last 5 minutes had killed off any hopes of a revival and it was not what they had deserved as they had played for the full 80 minutes. Skipper Craig Morphett was Albion’s Man of the Match leading from the front as always with Craig Livock, Neil Jordan and Steve Wrench all having good games. Moors Man of the Match was Richard Llewellyn who’s probing runs had made him a thorn in Albion’s side all through the game, however stand off Julian Yarrow was not very far behind and his clever kicking had kept Albion at bay for the most part of the game. Final Score Dewsbury Moor 30 -Keighley Albion 10.

Next week Albion return to Cougar Park with the Visitors from Warrington Crosfields, Kick off 2-00pm.
Terry Caddy.

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