Moortown U11s 14 Keighley U11s 14

On a pitch and in conditions that were never going to produce flowing rugby Keighley fielded a strong team against a team that they rarely face. Playing at Bradford and Bingley RUFC the game showed a determined Keighley side determined to break down a strong and well organise defensive line.
For all their possession, Keighley failed to capitalise on it, nor on the dominance in terms of territory. The forwards made hard yards, albeit on an individual basis which was against the game plan. Their rucking and mauling worked well and the scrum held firm which created a platform to be built upon. On occasion the ball was won against the head by the pack, but too often the isolated runs led to lost ball and the cheap loss of possession. As in other games this season Keighley were their own worst enemy.
This said, Keighley managed to score first. A clever move saw Ryan Gibson tackled high short of the line, but quick ball out wide saw Harry Gallagher scythe through the defence. The conversion should have signalled the need to close ranks but lapses of concentration saw the scores levelled.
As the game ran on Keighley were denied another try from Tom Willson for handing off (this was to be the bane of the team’s afternoon) and from Samuel Grant thanks to an unsighted referee.
Determination and doggedness eventually paved the way for Ryan Gibson to score in the corner. Again the conversion gave a healthy gap, but with almost the last move of the match Moortown broke down the wing and scored n the corner thanks to a dubious pass.
Keighley were left to lick their wounds as to what might have been but they are beginning to show that they have the mental resolve to learn from such experiences.