Sunday 21st October 2001
Yorkshire West Riding Combination League U-18s
Keighley Albion & Bingley 10 - Kippax 13

Albion entertained Kippax in the league yesterday looking for revenge after suffering defeat at their hands earlier in the season.

Kippax scored the only points of the half with a penalty goal to take the lead at 2 - 0 and should have done better after they were given the lion's share of possession following a string of Albion errors and dubious referreeing decisions.

The Leeds team were permanently camped in Albion territory but ably led by Hodgson, Steel, Feather, Wilson and Lister an outstanding defensive display kept the league leaders out. Colin Pickles also cut out a number of opportunities with some telling tackles.

Turning round for the second half we saw the now trademark lapse in effort and concentration from Albion and Kippax scored twice and added a goal to take the score to 12 - 0.

However the Keighley side rallied and started to put pressure on Kippax which paid off when Ronnie Hodgson cut through to score a well deserved try. Nicky Lister added the goal and it was all to play for.

Sure enough Albion got a roll on through good forward play and Lister spotted a gap to get through and score. Hodgson's kick drifted wide but at 12 - 10 it looked as if Albion would swing the game in their favour.

Albion launched a good attack again but a flare up between the two sides halted Albion's momentum and saw Dibbins and a Kippax player sent off. With the penalty going to Kippax field position was lost and Albion didn't have another chance to attack. Kippax wrapped the scoring up with a drop goal and won a hard fought contest between two evenly matched sides.

Albion didn't do themselves many favours with all the wasted possession and will need to tighten up for next week when they entertain Knottingley at home.

Feather, Lister, Steel and Hodgson were the pick of the bunch for the home side.
John Normington

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