Siddal gained a second win in the Yorkshire Men’s League Forty 20 cup, with a good performance highlighting the Open age strength in depth. There were 10 changes made to the side that won at Batley Boys, due to the winter team game at Ovenden (much more interesting match report on that to follow from Stores).

Defences were on top in the opening ten minutes as both sides cancelled each other out. Siddal opened the scoring on 14 minutes, when hooker Danny Rushworth found player coach Gaz English in some space 10 yards out and he made no mistake, taking two defenders over the line. Rushworth’s kick was wide but Siddal led 4-0. The lead was doubled after 20 minutes when English turned provider to put winger Elliott Jewitt in at the corner. The kick was missed but at 8-0 Siddal were looking comfortable.

Keighley reduced the deficit after 33 minutes when Mark Smith dived over and Carl Hudson’s successful conversion brought the scores to 8-6.

Siddal’s response was immediate and half back Finley Hickey’s well placed kick into the corner was picked up by Jewitt to score his second try in the corner. The conversion once again sailed wide but the home side’s lead was stretched to 12-6. Siddal’s fourth try came on the stroke of half time when Hickey’s long pass fed Jewitt once again for his hat-trick score and a 16-6 half time score with the conversion attempt was once again failing.

Albion had a strong start to the second half. They were held up over the line twice by full back Ben Hildred and Jordan Healey. Their number 8, Jack Kennedy, was running well and the pressure told when Connor Reagan touched down. The conversion reduced the gap again to 16-12, but that was as close as the visitors got with a purple patch to follow from Siddal. The home pack began to dominate with English prompting Rob Holroyd, Niall Berrett, Elliott Thompson and Mason Scott. A great passing move through six pairs of hands saw Jewitt cross the line once again. Rushworth was successful with the kick and at 22-12 there was no way back for Albion. Youngsters Sam Walsh, Henry Turner, Keenan Ramadan and Jacob Ellis were all showing strongly and on the hour mark, Turner made a fantastic break down the middle. Rushworth, as ever, was backing up and Turner’s well timed pass put the hooker in the clear for a try under the posts. Rushworth’s conversion opened up daylight on the scoreline at 28-12.

Albion’s strong running centre Morgan Robinson scored a try after 62 minutes and Reagan’s kick reduced the deficit to 28-18.

Siddal finished the game strongly and scored two further tries in the last 10 minutes. The first came following a tremendous break down the middle from the impressive Walsh, who was backed up by Holroyd to touch down under the posts for 34-18. The scoring was completed by speedster Jewitt who picked the ball up under his own posts, jinked past two defenders and showed a clean pair of heels to the chasing Albion defence as he raced the full length of the field for his fifth try of the game. Henry Turner took over the kicking duties and his successful conversion finished the scoring at 40-18.

This was a very encouraging display by the home side, given the number of changes from the previous week. There were strong debuts from winger George Standring and half back Sam Walsh. Half backs Turner and Hickey were impressive all day and youngsters Scott, Ramsden, Leo Dow and Ellis all acquitted themselves well.

Next week the Forty 20 campaign continues at Farnley Falcons. Coaches English and Long will be spoilt for choice in having only 17 shirts to fill.