Saturday 27th October 2001
Pennine League Division 3
Dodworth 6 Keighley Albion 'A' 37

Albion won their fourth league game in a row to underline their charge up Division 3 of the Pennine League.  This victory was away at second placed Dodworth and the relatively easy win underlines that the Keighley side have no-one to fear in Division 3.

At the start both defences dominated with no sign of gaps.  After 2 minutes Andy Parker released Roger Simpson on a break but the pass was adjudged forward.  This was the only chance going until the 15th minute when a penalty chance was offered from 45 m out and Keith Dixon calmly slotted the kick over to give Albion the lead.

With the Albion defence firing strongly lead by Adam Lilley, Garry Boocock, Gareth Greenbank and Dean Condren the only opportunities on offer for the home side came from errors and penalties.  One such knock-on gave Dodworth position on the Albion line and the scrum half shot through for an easy converted try.  This home advantage didn't last long when on the 30th minute a long Keith Dixon pass gave Roger Simpson some space and he used this to put winger Scott Belamy over in the corner. 

A few minutes later Andy Parker held up the ball and created a large gap that Dean Condren shot through to score from 20m out.  Keith Dixon added the conversion.  From the restart Albion forced their way back up the field and following a kick the ball was recovered by Dean Condren who released Gary Baxter.  Baxter was just held short but managed to offload to Bobby Brown before being bundled into touch.  Brown also looked likely to end up in touch with Baxter but his pass inside gave Dean Condren an excellent try.  Keith Dixon again added the extras.  This was just before half-time and the Keighley side lead by the deserved margin of 18-6.

The second half was all Albion.  From a penalty 30m out Ian Spencer burst straight through but was just held short.  No matter, Andy Parker reached between two defenders to put Garry Boocock under the posts.  Keith Dixon added the easy conversion.

On 50 minutes more pressure on the home line gave Keith Dixon the opportunity to slip an astute inside pass to Roger Simpson who forced his way over.  Again Keith Dixon added the extras.  Dixon finished off the set of six following the restart with a showboating 30m drop goal.

Still one-way traffic.  Garry Boocock burst the line 60 m out, advanced the 30m to draw the full back and released Roger Simpson on a sprint for the line which he easily won.  For a change Bobby Brown added the kick.  With 10 minutes to go that ended the scoring.

The second string have advanced greatly from their poor start to the season.  Their team performance is simply outstanding.  This win puts them 5th, one place behind their opponents at Highfield next Saturday, Liversedge.  After the performances over the previous weeks they have nothing to fear.
Tim Cooper

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