U12s return to Top Performance

An excellent game played by the full team!

There was skill and dedication from each and everyone within the team.

A delight to watch and a performance that every player should be proud of.

Remember that less than three months ago we held a very close match against this team, winning by just one try.

Coaches award went to Ryan Gibson.
Player of the Match went to Robbie Karmann.
Top Tackler went to Matthew Paul.

Keighley kicked off with an expertly placed ball which was allowed to bounce by the Leo’s defence. Ryan Gibson sprinted to the ball, picked it up and ran straight in for the first try within 1 minute. Liam Brookes stepped up for the conversion and placed the kick between the uprights to bring in a score of 0 – 7 within the first 60 seconds.

Leo’s restarted with a kick that was collected by Harry Gallagher running at speed. Harry drove through the initial defense and then slipped a well-timed pass on to Callum Hands as more of the Leo’s caught up. Callum made a well-executed side step to bring him way from the side line and continued to drive up to the 22. Tackled at that point the forwards drove hard to set up the ball ready to be passed to the backs. A quick pass down the line and Ryan stepped in for his second try within 2 minutes. Liam moving in for the conversion. 0 -14.

Leo’s second restart was picked from the air by Jacob Rankin running at speed. Jacob dodged a couple of tackles getting as far as the centre line before being brought down. The forwards drove over and Tom Willson picked the ball from the back of the rook, driving through the defence up to the 22. The forwards set the ball up again and the ball was spun out to Harry who forced his way through to the try line for the third try within 5 minutes. Liam maintained his 100% record with another well placed conversion. 0 -21 to Keighley.

Leo’s third restart was rewarded as a scrum to Keighley on the half way as the Leo’s were judged to be off side. The pack whipped the ball out of a well formed scrum and the ball found its way to Harry who had more than enough confidence and strength to force through the defence and score his second try. The fourth for the team in fewer than 10 minutes. Liam converted with ease. 0 – 28.

The next restart was a challenge for Keighley, the Leo’s defence chasing and forcing a line out on the Keighley 22 line. The line out was judged as not straight and a scrum was awarded to Keighley. This was the first time they were defending so deep in their own half and it was great to see the team keep their heads with the ball coming cleanly out of the scrum and allowing Robbie Payne to clear the ball to the half way. The forwards were in hot pursuit and they managed to win the ball at the break down. The pack used a couple of set and drive plays to gain yards closer to the Leo’s try line. Sam Grant seeing a path through to the line and using his speed to reward Keighley with their fifth try, again converted at the boot of Liam. 0 – 35.

Leo’s restarted to the Keighley forwards. With Leo’s arriving shortly after the ball had landed the pack drove towards the centre line before being brought to ground. The ball was handled through the Keighley backs, with passes being expertly delivered and received. This provided Robbie Payne with the opportunity to score his first try of the morning. 0 – 40.

Leo’s aimed their next restart towards the back of the pitch. Robbie P picking up the ball and scanning the running opportunity before deciding to clear with his boot. A good decision with the ball going out beyond the 22. The Leo’s line out was judged not straight giving Keighley the put in at the scrum. The ball was quickly won and handed to the backs, Robbie Karmann taking the opportunity to run at full strength through several defensive attempts. When he was finally brought down the forwards were in full support and Josh Addy picked the ball up and crashed through the remainder of the defence to score the next try. The conversion followed. 0 – 47 and chance to catch their breath as the whistle blew for half time.

The second half started with Leo’s kicking off. Keighley gathered the ball and a rook was formed leading to a penalty for Keighley as Leo’s entered from the side. The ball was presented to the forwards with Harvey Kemp supporting Tom as they drove up the field. The ball was then worked out to the backs where Ni George took the opportunity to artfully weave through the defence up to the 22. Another strong rook from Keighley resulted in Ryan receiving the ball and driving over the line for his hat rick try of the game. Liam converted with his trusty boot. 0 – 54.

Leo’s restarted to the forwards who used their dominant form to drive up the field with several set pick and drive plays. Leo’s intercepted a pass on their 22 and threatened to attack, only to fall short when meeting Robbie P in the backs who stripped the ball and returned back to the Leo’s try line with little strong competition. His second try of the day. The conversion followed building the score to 0 – 61 with just 25 minutes gone.

The restart was plucked from the air by Jacob Rankin who ran, with full support, up to the Leo’s 22, where a tackle brought him down. Josh sensed the opportunity for another try and was just brought down short. The forwards won the ball quickly and the trusted link of Matthew Paul whipped the ball out to Robbie K who drove over the line for the next try. 0 – 66.

The restart was a bouncing ball that Keighley struggled with resulting in a scrum being awarded on the Keighley 22. Leo’s sensed an opportunity and worked hard in the scrum to release the ball at speed to their backs. Tackles were strong in defence but Leo’s managed to work an overlap and crossed the Keighley line for their only try of the match. The conversion was a success. 7 – 66.

Keighley restarted with the ball landing deep in the Leo’s half. Leo’s kicked back deep which was picked up by Ryan and cleared to the middle of the pitch on the Leo’s 22 with Ellie Kildunne chasing at speed. Ellie held their backs at bay as the support of the Keighley forwards arrived. Harvey taking the ball and driving through the full Leo’s pack to score the next try. 7 – 71.

Leo’s restarted towards the forwards again. A succession of well drilled drives from the forwards were set and Matthew continued as the valuable link to the backs, with quickly delivered ball. The backs would gain yards before being tackled. The forwards then taking up the challenge of creating the next set releasing the backs through Matthew. Jacob received the ball in the set allowing him to weave through to score the final try of the game.
Final score 7 – 76.