Saturday 15th September 2001
NATIONAL CONFERENCE LEAGUE DIV 2
CROSFIELDS 48 KEIGHLEY ALBION 7

Albion travelled to Warrington to take on Crosfields who’s early form has seen them win 2 out of their opening 3 games of the season. Albion without a win so far, once again had to make changes from last week’s team. But from the start of the game they put Soap under pressure and on the last tackle John Gwilliam opened Albions account with a timely drop goal to give Albion a 0 to 1 point lead as early as the 5^th minute.

The Soap with Matt Mohoney and Eddie Bannon to the fore then set about attacking the Keighley side's line but the joint efforts of Kris Kirk and Rob Haughey kept them out as the attack fizzled out. In Crosfields eagerness to force out a last pass Albions Wayne Smith made a timely interception and went a full 80 metres to score a well taken try, Ally Feather tagged on the touch line goal to put Albion further in front by 0 to 7 points on the 14 minute mark.

Just as Albion seemed to be taking control The Warrington side hit back when following a scrum on the visitor's 22 metre line Matt Mohoney sent winger Billy Rowan in for a try in the corner, the goal attempt was off the mark but they were on the score sheet at 4 points to Albions 7 on 17 minutes. The Soap then hit Albion hard as a string of penalties allowed them to progress downfield and from a quickly taken tap they got the ball out wide for John Bannon to score a try, Jimmy Williams added the goal to put the Soap in front by 10 points to Albions 7, this was on 20 minutes.

Albion were struggling to keep up with Soaps wide open game, and a good piece of open play saw Eddie Bannon score in the corner, there was no goal to add but it was 14 points to 7 in the home side's favour. During the scoring of this try an incident led to Soaps Terry Reid and Albions John Gwilliam sent off. This incident took the edge of what had been an entertaining tough physical encounter with some good open Rugby being played by both teams. Half Time score was Crosfields 14 points- Albion 7.

The second half could not have started any worse for Albion as from a short kick off Peter Cannon and Matt Mohoney combined in a move that saw Matt Mohoney score a try, Jimmy Williams added the goal to put the Soap 20 points to 7 in the lead on 41 minutes. Albion were now under the cosh but Wayne Smith and Rob Haughey worked well together trying to get the Albion back on the attack but were let down by poor handling.

It appeared the loss of playmaker John Gwilliam had taken more of an effect on Albion than the loss of the Soaps player. Albion were then made to pay for a defensive lapse as a long ball from full back Bob Ditchfield to Russ Packman saw him score a try, Jimmy Williams adding the goal to give a score line of Soap 26 points to Albions 7 after 52 minutes.

From the restart Sam Broadly and Steve Wrench combined with Kris Kirk to set up another Albion attack but were frustrated when the last pass went to ground, and this was swiftly picked up by the home player Peter Cannon who set up another Soap attack that saw Billy Rowan get his 2^nd try of the game, Jimmy Williams added the goal to show that Soap were 32 points to 7 in the lead on 55 minutes.

Worse was to come as injuries to Kris Kirk and Ben Farrar saw Albion become more disjointed than ever, Jimmy Williams took full advantage as he made a 59 metre break to score a well taken try that he also converted, giving the Soap a 38 to 7 points lead on the 60 minute mark. Another break again by Jimmy Williams saw him send Andy Holroyd in for a try; Jimmy Williams added the goal to show the score at Soap 44 points to Albions 7 with 67 minutes on the clock. Andy Holroyd then scored a fine individual try in the corner to round off the scoring as the goal kick was wide of the posts but it was 42 to 7 on 72 minutes.

Albion had worked hard and good individual shows from Chris Hogg, Sam Broadley and Steve Wrench could not be turned into a team effort. Soaps Peter Cannon was their Man of the Match closely followed by Matt Mohoney and goal kicker Jimmy Williams. Albions Ally Feather took their Man of the Match award, injuries still seem to dog Albion as they have already used 29 different players so far in their opening 4 games. The determination is there but the teamwork is missing as Albion look for their first win of the season.

Next weeks home game sees York Acorn currently top of the division as visitors with a 2-30 pm kick off.

Terry Caddy

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