Saturday 13th October 2001
NATIONAL CONFERENCE LEAGUE DIV 2
KEIGHLEY ALBION 4 HUNSLET WARRIORS 22

Hunslet's Dean Creaser vainly tries to stop Chris Hogg but he gets the ball away to the waiting Rob Haughey.
Picture by David Kirkley

In front of a large vociferous crowd at Cougar Park Albions visitors were new comers to the NCL. Hunslet Warriors who are currently the Joint league leaders. Albion on the other hand were still looking to end their losing streak.

It was Albion who started off the better of the two sides, with Kris Kirk and Martin Fryers taking the game into the Warriors 22 area. Albion certainly had the Warriors on the back foot and time and again in the opening minutes had to kick themselves out of trouble. But against the run of play the Warriors had the first opportunity of taking the lead when Albion were penalised for holding down in the tackle, but the attempted goal kick by Dean Creaser was off the target on 12 minutes.

Craig Morphet gets the ball away in the tackle which is picked up by Chris Hogg.
Picture by David Kirkley

It was tit for tat as Albion again attacked the visitors last quarter and this time the Warriors were penalised for off side, but this time Mark Kellett's attempt was off target in the 20^th minute. Albion then hit the Warriors in spectacular fashion when a good Kris Kirk run was rewarded when on the last tackle Mark Kellett's astute kick behind the Warriors defence was pounced on by the ever alert Chris Hogg for a try in the corner, the goal attempt was wide of the posts but Albion had a 4 points to nil lead in the 22^nd minute.

Mark Kellet's conversion narrowly misses early in the match
Picture by David Kirkley

The Warriors then put Albion under pressure with Paul Sebine and Jim Baker pulling the strings, but Steve Wrench and Craig Morphett kept Albions line intact. Then on the 30-minute mark a good break on the right saw Jason Wright slip a pass to Darren Littlewood who went 30 metres to score in the corner, the goal kick again was wide of the mark but it was Albion 4 points to the Warriors 4.

It was a tight exciting game with Albion giving as well as they got. But a couple of silly penalties gave the Warriors the incentive the needed, to set up another try as Paul Sebine broke in midfield before sending Scott Gilmour in for a try there was a touch of obstruction with the Warriors winger holding Albions Rob Bailey back but the referee was having none of it and the try stood, Dean Creaser adding the goal kick to put the Warriors in front for the first time at Albion 4 points to the Warriors 10 on 36 minutes.

This was to be the last score of the 1^st half in which Albion had repeatedly taken the game to the Warriors and although they led at this time they had never looked overly confident in this top verses bottom of the league contest. Half time score Albion 4 vs Warriors 10.

Neil Jordan and Steve Wrench in the tackle. Mark Kellett covers.
Picture by David Kirkley

The second half started very much like the 1^st with both defences refusing to give in to the other, John Gwilliam and Kris Kirk were Albions main attackers but were unable to break down the Warriors, Darren Hollings and Paul Sebine were the visitors main threat as Albion defiantly defended their line. After this good work by Albion a speculative kick by Dean Creaser on the last tackle saw the normally reliable Chris Hogg spill the ball under the posts and Frank Lapping pounced on the loose ball for a try, Dean Creaser added the goal to give a score line of Albion 4 points to the Warriors 16 on 53 minutes.

Martin Fryers slips the ball to Jon Gwilliam. Craig Morphet looks on. Picture by David Kirkley

The introduction of Simon Marsden onto Albion's wing seemed to gee them up as with his first touch of the ball he took the Warriors on and made a good 20 metres up field. This allowed Albion to set up another attack and a Danny Horne bomb that Frank Lapping could not hold and Simon Marsden went to within a metre of the Warriors line but Albion were unable to make anything from this as they dropped the ball on the last tackle to relive the Warriors line.

The Warriors then quickly hit back as Albion tired and a mid field break by Darren Ballentyne saw him go through the heart of Albions defence to score a try under the posts, Dean Creaser again adding the goal to give the score of Albion 4 – Warriors 22 on 63 minutes.

There was to be no further scores to add as both teams worked hard to try and increase their points tally, Albion were the nearest to this when a John Gwilliam chip over the top was finger tipped away for a forward pass by the chasing Danny Horne. Albions display was somewhat better than of late and they had given the Warriors a tougher game than they may have encountered.

Chris Hogg waits to play the ball to receiver Andy Bowness. Picture by David Kirkley.

The Warriors Jim Baker picked up their Man of the Match award, for Albion their Man of the Match was John Gwilliam closely followed by Craig Morphett and Steve Wrench, in game that was much closer than the score suggests.

Return to the home page

Extra pictures taken by Trevor Smith are below, click on the title

Neil Jordan shoots through

Martin Fryers is forced down

Andy Bowness passes

Craig Morphet is surrounded

Neil Jordan shoots through
Picture by Trevor Smith

Martin Fryers is forced down
Picture by Trevor Smith

Andy Bowness passes
Picture by Trevor Smith

Craig Morphet is surrounded
Picture by Trevor Smith