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Wetherby come unstuck at Keighley

Wetherby come unstuck at Keighley

Jonathan Hirst14 Sep 2022 - 10:52
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25-10 Scoreline belies closer match

The usual warm welcome awaited the Wetherby faithful as we travelled over what felt like most of Yorkshire to the Ilkley Road ground. The minutes silence for the Queen was a sombre moment but the kick off came with the usual raucous repartee of the Keighley supporters.

Keighley opened the scoring promptly with a penalty however Wetherby bounced back after a great line break by Jack Kaye warranted a penalty to the visitors that was duly dispatched by Charlie Yates.

Wetherby were generally under a bit of pressure and, camped in their 22, succumbed to a training ground move from Keighley orchestrated by their ever present 10, Alex Brown. Despite looking like he’d put on a few pounds over the summer break he was as effective as ever being a thorn in Wetherby’s side throughout the game. 10-3

The visitors are a determined bunch and fought their way back into the game with monstrous carries from Gilbert, Watson and Hoather which led to a penalty to Wetherby which was unfortunately missed. Every point counts in this league and the supporters were left wondering if missed opportunities may cost us the result.

However, more pressure from the visitors saw one of the Keighley props being carded which should have given Wetherby the upper hand but failed to capitalise. Some great individual play at key moments in the game including Henry Acland at every ruck with his trademark jackling.

With 30 mins gone the match was deadlocked at 10-3 and despite some improved play by Wetherby, the visitors seemed unable to make the critical breakthrough and Keighley’s backs again made the difference with a try under the posts which was converted to bring the score to 17-3.

Early in the second half Wetherby exert more pressure on Keighley led by Mason and Blakey, and with a lightening speed that defies his physique, Evan Woodworth squirmed through a tight defence to score Wetherby’s first try. 17-8 plus the conversion by Yates brings the score to 17-10 .

And just as Wetherby look like another try is on the cards, the recently returned Gilbert comes off with an injury, the likes of which we haven’t seen since his “broken ankle” at Ryton a couple of seasons ago. Let’s hope he recovers as quickly!

In this game that ebbed and flowed, Keighley were again on the attack and despite valiant defending by the Wetherby forwards, they conceded a penalty which was uncharacteristically missed by Brown.

With the backs seeing very little ball it was a frustrating day although Jack Kaye, Aidy Connelly and Sam Little had occasional moments of brilliance, it wasn’t enough to breach the Keighley defence.

Wetherby should be rightly proud of their performance in the line-outs with the combination of Steve Hoather and the leaping salmon that is Elliot Reid never missing a catch.

Athers and the Youlden boys combined well later I the game but still the Keighley defence held strong and, against the run of play scored a final try to finish the game at 25-10.
Overall another tough test away at Keighley but nothing in that game to suggest that we couldn’t repeat the events of last season and beat them back at Grange Park.

On to the next game at home vs Bradford Salem on Saturday 17th September with a 3pm kick off. The Old Boys reunion is being held on the same day. Please contact Kevin Stappard of Brian Aston for more information.

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