Keighley 2nd XV 5 - 41 Sheffield 2nd XV

Keighley 5 - 41 Sheffield

Chris 'The Viking' Stanney Reports.

There were several changes from last week’s exhibition game against Wharfedale. Skipper Mark Walker was unavailable due to work commitments; he was replaced in the back row by Solomon Prestage. Ryan Amos and Jamie McNab had been called up for first team duty at Rochdale; their places were filled with the welcome return of Ben Shore and Tom Womack. With Scrum Half Roger Wood away, John Briston stepped into that pivotal role, Rob Holland moved back into the 10 spot, and adding to his game workload team manager, selector, water-boy, tee carrier and medic Nick ‘Bison’ Hayes filled the last place on the bench.

With the Keighley first team at home to Bridlington, the 2nd XV had found the best piece of available marshland to host this contest. Keighley are not a team to be underestimated and could have been a potential stumbling block for the blue and whites. From the off, each team ventured with purpose into the oppositions half, with Keighley being the dominant force as Sheffield began to find their feet. 10 minutes in and the familiar vigour of our forwards began to press with dominance making thirty plus yards using pick and drives. Chris ‘The Viking’ Stanney fell just short of the line, as the ball was moved right to press the attack, Keighley failed to release the player, the resulting penalty in front of the sticks was easily kicked over by Rob Holland. The first change of the day sadly meant Andy Enevoldson walking off with a shoulder injury to be replaced by newcomer Mark ‘the student’.
Sheffield began to dominate the first half, pressing forward with both backs and forwards working well together through great linking play from John Briston and Rob Holland. At the half hour mark Sheffield had a lineout 5 yards out. Keighley had proven difficult in the scrums, but Solomon Prestige and Dean O’Brien had and would spend the game winning ours and Keighley’s ball. A well taken ball by Solomon Prestige and the resulting 8 man drive gave try number one of the game to Chris ‘The Viking’ Stanney. However, Rob Holland missed the conversion. The game continued on with Sheffield dominating, it was only their mistakes that allowed Keighley to threaten. The final play of the half was a great passing play from Dean O’ Brien and Tom Womack, the final pass putting Tom King over the line. This was converted by Rob Holland and the half finished 15 to nil in favour of Sheffield.

The Second half continued as the first had ended, Sheffield’s odd mistakes allowed Keighley to press, but the Sheffield forwards, and the surprise rucker, Ali Womack, would rip the ball and began to press forward again. Tom Metcalf, who had been stopped just short of the line on several occasions in the first half, broke through and added two more tries to the score, both converted by Rob Holland. The second injury of the day meant Ben Campbell (calf) was replaced by Dan Williams. The last twenty minutes would prove to be the busiest of the game. Ali Womack and Solomon Prestige added a try each, Rob Holland converting one, but missed the last. At 41-0, you could be forgiven for thinking Keighley would fold; but this was far from the case. The last 15 minutes was Keighley launching attack after attack at the Sheffield line. Some over enthusiastic tackling from Solomon Prestige was to earn him the last ten minutes of the game in the bin. Down to 14 men, Keighley managed to break the line and score in the corner.

Keighley had found their second wind and continued to smash against the Sheffield line; yellow card number two was given to Adrian Montague for hands in the ruck, Sheffield down to 13 men with 5 minutes to go were going to have a tough finish to the game. Once more the 2nd XV showed that determination and teamwork which has been present throughout the whole season and they were never going to let Keighley cross the line for a second time. The tackling from everyman, forwards to fullback should be commended for the fine display it was, each man put his body in the way to ensure the game finished 41-5. Sheffield stay top of the table.

Try Scorers
Chris ‘The Viking’ Stanney (1)
Tom ‘Fingers’ King (1)
Ali ‘Excuse me Ref’ Womack (1)
Solomon ‘It Wasn’t Me’ Prestage (1)
Thomas ’Bambi’ Metcalf (2)
Rob ‘No Nickname’ Holland
Conversions (4)
Penalty (1)