Saturday 23rd September 2001
National Conference League Division 2
Keighley Albion 16 York Acorn 26

Albions home game this week was played at Cougar Park. Where it was top verses bottom of the table in Division 2. Another much changed Albion side seemed to have a better balance as they look for the 1^st win of the season.

Martin Fryers is brought to ground as Mark Adams looks on
Picture by David Kirkley

After a tentative opening with both sides testing each other out neither could penetrate the defences but Albion were first to score as John Gwilliams chip over the Acorn defence bounced kindly up into his hands. Gwilliam then made good yards before passing to Danny Horne who went in for a well taken try, Kris Kirk added the goal to give Albion the lead on 9 minutes with a 6 points to nil score line.

Albions play was open and varied as they looked for more points, Acorn also had their own agenda as they set up an attack out of defence and a good run by John Waldron set up a try scoring chance for Darren Callaghan to score a try by the posts, Kevin Brundrett added the goal to tie up the scores at 6 points all on 13 minutes.

It was hard and physical and it showed when on 17 minutes Albions Danny Horne and Acorns Carl Rollinson were sent off and Danny Liddell was put in the sin bin. Albion continued to play open rugby and it paid off when a good cross field move saw Kris Kirk send Sam Broadley crashing over for a try, the goal attempt was off the mark but Albion had taken a 10 points to 6 lead on the 20 minutes mark.

Ben Farrar flies into the tackle.
Picture by David Kirkley

John Gwilliam and Kris Kirk were driving Albion forward using all their skills to try and put Albion further in front. Acorns Darren Callaghan and Lee Frank had other ideas. Good play again from Acorn saw them take the lead when a strong diagonal run from Steve Irving to beat Albions sliding defence to score a very good try under the posts Kevin Brundrett adding the goal to put Acorn in front by 12 points to Albions 10 on 30 minutes.

Both teams tried in vain to score but defences were proving difficult to break down and there were no more points in this half, but it had been a good display by both teams who at this stage were evenly matched. Half time score Albion 10 Acorn 12.

From the re start Acorns deep kick off had Albion in trouble as they failed to pick up the loose ball, but Acorns Paul Dodsworth snapped it up and fed Darren Callaghan who went in for his 2^nd try of the game, Kevin Brundrett adding the goal to put Acorn further in front at 10 points to 18 on 41 minutes. Albions Rob Haughey was sent off in the 46^th minutes for an off the ball incident, and Kevin Brundrett converted the penalty goal to put them further ahead with the scores Albion 10 – Acorn 20 on 47 minutes.

Albion again dug in deep in an effort to close the gap and they got their reward when good play by Chris Hogg and Kris Kirk saw Sam Broadleys strong run allowed him to force his way over for an excellent try, Kris Kirk added the goal to put Albion back into the game with the scores at Albion 16 points to Acorns 20 on 50 minutes. The game the became disjointed and ill disciplined as both teams were hell bent on winning the game, and in the 61^st minute Albions Mark Adams and Acorns Martin McTigue were sent to cool down in the sin bin.

But worse was to come for Albion as following a well taken try by Acorns full back Mike Embleton that was not converted to put them 16 points to 24 in front. Albions John Gwilliam and Acorns Darren Callaghan were sent off for ungentlemanly conduct!, in the 63^rd minute. This left Albion with only 9 players on the park and Acorn with 10 it resembled a 7 a side game. Both sets of players tried to keep the game flowing Albion Chris Hogg and Sam Broadley tackled everything that the Acorn team could throw at them, but another Albion misdemeanor was penalized and Kevin Brundrett converted the penalty goal to give a score of Albion 16 points Acorn 26 on 78 minutes, this was also the final score of the game.

Tony Fretwell receives treatment
Picture by David Kirkley

This game will be remembered for all the wrong reasons the sending off of 5 players and the sin binning of 3 more, rather than the entertaining rugby that was played by 2 evenly matched teams. Acorns Lee Frank was their Man of the Match with Danny Liddell and Darren Callaghan not far behind. For Albion John Gwilliams display earned him Albion Man of the Match with Sam Broadley,Chris Hogg and Kris Kirk there or there about. Next Week Albion travel to Sheffield to take on fellow strugglers in Division 2 Hillsboro Hawks with a 2-30 pm kick off.
Terry Caddy

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