Saturday 6th October 2001
Pennine League Division 3
Keighley Albion 'A' 23 Ovenden 'A' 20

Albion just shaded it in this close encounter at Highfield.   Ovenden came with 3 wins from 3 matches under their belt and in no mood to surrender this record.

The Keighley side came out strongest, Richard Hollins set the standard of defence for both sides in the first 2  minutes.  His strong tackle jolted the ball out.  Garry Boocock also rose to this challenge with an identical crunching tackle spilling the ball out.

All this defensive effort took the toll on both attacks and neither team could get near the try line.  However, after 14 minutes of play, a drive by Andy Parker with a slipped pass to Craig Livock took Albion near to the line and Chris Brookes dived over from the play-the-ball.  Andy Bowness added the conversion.

A few minutes later Albion again drew close to the Ovenden line and Garry Boocock used his size and strength to drive over.  No conversion this time but the home team looked comfortably in command.

However the Halifax side were not just there to make up the numbers and forced their way back to the Albion line.  Once there further pressure gave them an unconverted try on the 20 minute mark.

Albion were soon down the field again and a Simon Marsden break was rewarded when the referee adjudged that he had been held down.  The penalty kick just drifted wide.  Another chance came when Scott Belamy was punched by a player he was tackling and Chris Brookes kicked over the penalty from short range.  Chris Brookes added to the lead with a drop goal shortly after.

At this stage it seemed to be all Albion, Craig Livock made a 30m break and from the resulting play near to the line Richard Hollins was unlucky to miss a try from his kick and chase.  Just before half-time Ovenden put themselves back into contention with a converted try to make the score 13 –10 to Albion.

The second half started as fiercely as the first with neither defence conceding a yard.  Ovenden took the lead with a converted try after sustained pressure on the Albion line.

This lead did not last long, a few minutes later a crafty Andy Parker pass gave the supporting Andy Bowness a try which was a tribute to his excellent timing.  Chris Brookes added the extras to give Albion a lead they wouldn't loose again.

A few minutes later Adam Beaumont drove close to the line and Simon Marsden used his strength to force his way over despite the attentions of 4 tacklers.

With 18 minutes to go and Ovenden required to score twice the Keighley side chose to play out the remaining possession.  This tactic nearly backfired with a try by the visitors but Albion held firm to the final whistle.

In another excellent team performance it is hard to pick out an outstanding player but new boy Matt Robinson stood out with his strong running and tackling giving him the Player's Player award.

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