Saturday 20th October 2001
Pennine League Division 3
Keighley Albion 44 Morley Borough 10

After a week off for the Grand Final the Albion second string were able to put out a strong team with John Williams returning to strengthen the line-up even more.  Also new player Lee Harrison was looking to impress in his first match of Rugby League.

Albion started brilliantly, an astute pass from John Williams released Steve Bennet down the wing.  The centre made 40m and then with the full back and cover closing in freed the supporting Williams straight through to the posts.  Keith Dixon added the easy conversion.  All this within the first three minutes.

After this Morley tightened their defence but the home defence couldn't have been tightened further.  On 8 minutes Mark Kellett epitomised this with a ferocious tackle jolting the ball out.  However the advantage gained was snuffed out by the Leeds side defence.

After nearly 20 minutes Morley gained a try in what seemed the only way possible.  A string of penalties for offside put them near to the posts and the hooker seized upon this to shoot through.  Despite being under the posts this was not converted.

Again defences dominated until a simple error by Morley gifted a try to Albion.  A dropped ball 10m in front of the posts was seized on by Andy Parker and he passed quickly to Steve Bennett who jinked over whilst the visitors were still dumbfounded.  Keith Dixon added the extras.

The defences dominated again until Keith Dixon had an opportunity to kick a penalty in the last seconds of the half from the half way line.  This drifted wide but the ensuing drop-out went straight into touch giving him a much easier chance which he took.  This made the score at the break 14-4.  This score reflected Albion's ability to take the few chances going in a very tight game.

Playing downhill Albion were much more on top.  Scott Belamy was given a half-chance which was enough for him to cross over.  Keith Dixon again converted.  Soon after some quick passing gave Keith Dixon the space to shoot in but he didn't manage to convert his own try. 

By this stage Morley were looking dead and buried with ferocious tackling lead by Mark Kellett and Andy Parker snuffing out all their attacks.  This didn't stop their one chance being taken efficiently, a centre bursting clean through and going 50m to score a converted try.

At this setback Albion stepped it up again.  Dean Condren weaved his way through at the corner, no conversion though.  Chris Brookes made a break and passed for Steve Bennett to go over, Dixon again converted.  Matt Robinson made a 50m break which gave the platform for John Williams to pick up his second try.  The final score of the game was when Andy Parker reached through 2 tacklers to give Steve Bennett a well-deserved hat-trick.  With the conversion that ended the scoring.

After such an excellent team performance it was hard to pick any outstanding player.  The Players player reflected this with John Williams, Mark Kellett, Steve Bennett, Dean Condren and Andy Parker all receiving votes.  However the winner was youngster Scott Belamy for his non-stop effort in both attack and defence.

Next Saturday Albion face a long trip to Dodworth, for a match that must be won if they have any hopes of leading Pennine Division 3.

Tim Cooper

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