Keighley
Albion Cats kicked off the new season with a comfortable victory over newly
promoted Birkenshaw Dragons.
Although never quite hitting top gear the Cats were never in any danger
against a team who struggled to make any in roads into their resolute defence.
Boasting
three new signings, including Australian international loose forward Jodie
Billing, Keigbley were on the offensive from the start and almost scored from
their first attack but were held just short.
For several minutes the teams traded sets of six but Birkenshaw were
struggling to get out of their own half.
Eventually
the pressure told and from a surging run Keira Burns forced her way over for the
first try of the new season.
The conversion was missed but Keighley began to force the pace even more
and it was no surprise when skipper Laura Ackroyd scored a typical try and added
the conversion.
So
it was 10 nil and the Cats were cruising, however a combination of strong
Birkenshaw defenre and Albion over eagerness prevented any further addition to
the score until right on half time when a flowing move ended with Sarah
Cartwright scoring in the comer.
Ackroyd again added the conversion in the final action of the half with
the score at 16-0.
The
second half followed a similar pattern to the first with almost incessant
Keighley pressure, but first Sarah Cartwright had the ball ripped out in the act
of scoring, with no penalty try given.
Then Ackroyd scored again but was controversially brought back for having
a foot in touch.
It seemed that we were heading for a scoreless second half until with
Birkenshaw tiring Ackroyd again scored a fine individual try and added the
extras.
Shortly
after a fine flowing move ended with new fullback Jodee Loader, who had an
excellent debut, scoring in the corner.
Ackroyd then completed a superb hat trick by darting over from a quick
tap penalty and adding on the conversion for good measure.
With the game won the Cats eased up slightly and allowed the Dragons a
late consolation try, the only disappointment of a satisfactory opening day.
Laura Ackroyd took the player of the match award with good support from
Sarah Gatenby and Angie Pickard.
Next week the Cats travel to Hull Dockers for a difficult away game.
Andy MacDonald
| Pos | Profile | Tries | Goals | DG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jodee Loader | Profile | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Claire Ackroyd | Profile | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Gemma Liddon | Profile | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Sarah Cartwright | Profile | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Saima Hussain | Profile | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Laura Ackroyd | Profile | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| 7 | Tracy Lynch | Profile | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Sarah Walsh | Profile | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Keira Burns | Profile | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Julie Cooper | Profile | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Angie Pickard | Profile | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Sarah Gatenby | Profile | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Jodie Billing | Profile | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Lisa Fisher | Profile | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Lyndsey Goodwin | Profile | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | Sharon Wilmot | Profile | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | Louise Clarke | Profile | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Return to the home page