Saturday October 20th 2001
National Conference League Div 2
Millom 30 Keighley Albion 10

For this weeks game Albion travelled to Cumbria to face Millom who were relegated from Division 1 last year and who are currently in mid table this term. Albion on the other hand are still looking for the 1^st win of the season.

On a wet heavy pitch Albion started the better of the 2 teams with Kris Kirk and Sam Broadley making good runs into the home sides 22 area. Millom were caught offside but Albions penalty attempt was off target. Millom then went onto the attack and Albion were penalized but alas their goal attempt was off target too.

Craig Morphett and John Gwilliam were working hard to get Albion’s attack going, but poor handling let them down. Millom were then first on the score board when a break by David Thompson saw him send Andrew Walker in for a try, Paul Evans converting the goal, to give the home side a 6 – 0 lead on 16 minutes.

The Keighley side then had a period of play that saw them pen Millom in their own 22 area and this led to Sam Broadley forcing his way over for a well taken try, the goal attempt was wide of the mark but Albion were back in contention at 6 – 4 in the 21st minute.

Millom then hit back as they took play back into Albion’s half and good play by Graham Lupton saw Paul Wilson score a try by the posts, Paul Evans adding the goal to give a score line of Millom 12 points-Albion 4 on 23 minutes. Both teams were trying to play open rugby on the rain soaked pitch with some good defensive work thrown in. But with the visitors under pressure they gave away an interception to Paul Evans who went all of 80 metres to score wide out, the goal kick was of the target but the score showed the home side in front by 16 points to 4 on 31 minutes.

Then to make matters worse for themselves Albion in their own 22 area sent out a wild pass that was again intercepted by Paul Evans who went all the way to score another fortuitous try, no goal to add but it was now Millom 20 points to Albions 4 on 35 minutes. This was also the Half Time score in a half that had seen Albion play well apart fro the 2 interceptions. Half time Millom 20 – Albion 4.

Albion were caught cold from the kick off as Millom drove down field in a move that saw Hooker Colin Thompson score under the posts, Paul Evans adding the goal to increase Milloms lead to 26 – 4, in the 41^st minute. Albion with Craig Morphett and Steve Wrench driving forward Albion were playing catch up rugby, but it was hard work for them as the Millom defence worked overtime to keep their line intact.

The game was in a stalemate situation as both sides became frustrated and a string of penalties by both sides did anybody any favours, and there were no further scores until the 60^th minute when Milloms centre David Thompson scored a good individual try in the corner, there was no goal from this but Millom had a 30 point to 4 advantage.

Albion were looking the stronger of the 2 sides at this time and good work by Chris Hogg and Mark Adams saw Neil Jordan dive over for a well deserved try by the posts, Andy Bowness added the goal that gave a score line of Millom 30 points to Albions 10 on 63 minutes.

Albion put the pressure back on and were unfortunate not to score again as both Kris Kirk and Mark Adams went close, but it was not going to be Albion’s day as the clock wound down. It had been an entertaining game with Albion competing for the full 80 minutes and indeed for the last 20 minutes looked the stronger side but playing catch up rugby is not easy and apart from the 2 interception tries gave as good as they got, but it was Millom who had the points on the scoreboard.

Paul Evans with his 2 tries and 3 goals was Milloms Man of the Match. For Albion it was a close run thing but John Gwilliam got the Award with Craig Morphett and Steve Wrench close behind.

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