Saturday 24th November 2001
NATIONAL CONFERENCE LEAGUE DIVISION 2
KEIGHLEY ALBION 16 CROSFIELDS 58

Albion’s visitors for today’s game were Warrington based Crosfields who are among the promotion chasing teams in Division 2. Albion had to make 8 changes from last weeks team through holidays, work commitments and injuries, but on the plus side they welcomed back Danny Horne from suspension and former Cougar Keith Dixon.

Crosfields posted their intentions as early as the 2nd minute when Hooker Eddie Bowman set Peter Cannon through a gap in Albion’s defence to score a try, Jimmy Williams added the goal kick to put them 0 – 6 in front. From this Albion got back in to the groove and Keith Dixon’s kicking pushed the visitors back on the defensive, and following another long kick Kris Kirks chase saw him tackle the full back in his own 22 area but this attack came to naught.

Crosfields then hit back bringing the ball up field into Albion’s 22 only to concede a turn over, from this Albion then knocked on to give head and ball to Crosfields at the scrum and from a set move Peter Cannon sent his winger Ian Hannon in for a well worked try, Jimmy Williams kicked the goal to show a score of Albion nil Crosfields 12 in the 12^th minute. Albion then hit back and following some good play by Steve Wrench and Martin Fryers saw Andy Parker split the Crosfields defence before sending Craig Livock in for a well taken try, Keith Dixon adding the goal to make it 6-12 in the visitors favour on 18 minutes.

This was to be Albion’s last score of the half as frustration led to a period of poor handling and tackling that allowed Crosfields to take control, and following his return from the sin-bin Andy Pucill combined with Peter Cannon to send Billy Rowan in for a try, Jimmy Williams kicking the goal to show a score line of Albion 6 points- Crosfields 18 on 24 minutes. Albion pushed the visitors back into a defensive position with a good attack but it all went wrong as a loose pass was intercepted on the 22 metre line by Crosfields centre Matt Mahoney who then went all the way to score by the posts, Jimmy Williams added the goal to give Crosfields a lead of 6 points to 30 in the 28^th minute. Albion were struggling to keep a grip on the game and the visitors increased their lead again when Dave Gibbons sent Peter Cannon in for a well taken try, Jimmy Williams again adding the goal to show a score of Albion 6 – Crosfields 30 in the 36^th minute. This was also the last score of the half where Albion had competed well but were playing catch up rugby after falling behind early on in the game. Half time score Albion 6 – Crosfields 30.

Crosfields got off to the best possible start when in the first set of six a flipped pass out of the tackle saw Rob Ditchfield dive over the line from close range to score a try, Jimmy Williams added the goal again to give a score of 6poits to 36 in Crosfields favour on 44 minutes. Albion were not making the most of their chance when they had the ball, and a knock on saw anther Crosfields try as Dave Gibbons snapped up the loose ball before sending Peter Cannon in for his hat –trick try, Jimmy Williams adding the goal to show the score at Albion 6 points – Crosfields 42 in the 50^th minute. Minutes later Peter Cannon again hit Albion with a super solo try wrong footing Albion’s defenders on his way, Jimmy Williams converting the goal kick to give a score line of Albion 6 _ Crosfields 48 on 53 minutes.

Albion then hit back with a good passage of play that took them in to the Crosfields 22 area and good work by Ed Billings saw him send Mark Kellett diving in for a well taken try, there was no goal to add but Albion had closed the gap a little with the score at 10 – 48 in the 57^th minute. But within minutes Crosfields had scored again as Jimmy Williams sent Andy Holroyd in for a try, no goal from the but Crosfields had gone further in front at 10 – 52 in the 62^nd minute. A further try by Dave Gibbons converted by Andy Holroyd to give a score line of Albion 10 points – Crosfields 58 was to be there last score of the game.

Albion though threw everything in to the final minutes of the game and were well rewarded when Martin Fryers put Craig Livock in for his second try of the game, Mark Kellett adding the goal to make it Albion 16 points _ Crosfields 58 as the final whistle went. The enforced changes in Albion’s line up had not done them any favours, but strong performances from Man of the Match Keith Dixon, Steve Wrench, Andy Parker and 2 try Craig Livock were the only bright spots in Albion’s heaviest defeat of the season so far. Crosfields had 2 potential match winners in Man of the Match 4 try Peter Cannon and 8 goals by Jimmy Williams tells the story in a game of fast open rugby league. Final Score Albion 16 – Crosfields 58.

Next week sees the start of The Rugby League Challenge Cup and Albion face Eastmoor Dragons from Wakefield at Cougar Park Kick off 2-00pm.
Terry Caddy.

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