New season, new rules, bigger teams, bigger pitch. The under 10s have a lot of new aspects of the game to get in to, so a pre-season friendly against a well matched Keighley side gave the team a great opportunity to experience and learn what they will be faced with this season.

Coach Mark had marked out the maximum sized pitch 80m x 50m, and Greetland played up the slope in the first half and kicked off (the first new rule for them this season). Keighley collected the ball, but the Greetland defence was on them like a flash with Maddie making all of the first 5 tackles before the ball went dead.
Greetland got their passing game going and showed a willingness to get the ball out to the flying wingers, Jack and Ellis.

Despite the determined start Keighley turned the ball over and a fast, jinking run from their star player saw them take an early lead. Tries score 4 points now, and the second of the new aspects of the game, the conversion, was taken but missed.

This was a pattern that was repeated through the half. Great passing and attacking play by a fluent Greetland side only for the ball to be turned over before the try line and quick Keighley breakaways by the same player resulting in three more tries, but missed conversions.

Before half time though Greetland got the try they deserved. Crazy Legs Captain Karl confused the opposition with his elusive running towards the try line, with the ball then being passed back along the line for Noah to go over in the far corner.

In the second half Greetland were playing down the hill, and their attacking Rugby paid dividends almost immediately with a great run to the corner by newcomer to the team, Archie. The ball was recycled through hands to Maddie who went over for the try.
This was cancelled out quickly with another try by Keighley who also kicked the only successful conversion of the game.

Again Greetland came back positively with another strong run by Karl with the ball eventually finding itself out wide for another Noah try in the corner.
Greetland were coming back in to the game when Keighley got a taste of their own medicine. Noah picked up a loose ball and left a bunch of Keighley defenders in his wake for a try from inside his own half.

Soon after Greetland drew level after turnover ball resulted from a great tackle by Lill, who took over defensively where Maddie had left off in the first half. Joe picked up the loose ball to run in a try from a long way out.

Greetland then took the lead with Captain Karl leading by example taking a good ball from Lill to run in to the corner.

Keighley drew level pretty soon after, and then took the lead with minutes to go.
This Greetland side doesn’t know when it’s beaten though and Lill capped a great second half performance with a try after an impressive turn of pace by Archie.

Keighley might have won on points as they successful converted one of their tries, but Greetland won the moral victory with some intelligent and creative Rugby with all players getting involved and contributing. Mylo making some good jinking runs and being an attentive and agile acting half. Harley the marauding ball carrier and ferocious tackler, and Will always available to receive the pass when it came along the line.

There were a number of debut performances including Christian Lilley who enjoyed his first experience of Rugby League, and Archie, who has come from Rugby Union showing some very impressive turns of speed.

Awards
Magic Moment – Joe
Top Tackler – Maddie
Top Trainer – Archie
Player of the Match – Lill
Player of Steel - Karl