KEIGHLEY 7 SHEFFIELD 20

Impressive display from Sheffield 2nds earns good away win at Keighley.

Sheffield were tasked with a hard trip away to Keighley, a team with changes in the back line due to illness, injuries and call ups to the firsts was further disrupted by heavy traffic caused by an accident on the M62 on the way to the game.

Kick off was delayed until 3.15 and with minimal warm up time the Sheffield lads were thrown immediately into the action. Some sustained pressure from the Keighley forwards created an overlap and the referee awarded a penalty try for a high tackle on the 5 metre line. Perhaps a contentious decision given that it was not a definite try scoring opportunity. The conversion was successful.

Straight from the kick off the Sheffield pack worked hard at the breakdown creating quick ball for the backs, possession was retained well and an overlap was created for Thomas Moss to stroll in at the corner, but then made it difficult for himself when attempting to cut back inside to bring the score closer to the posts. However he managed to ground the ball and the try was awarded. Liam Salvin failed with the conversion attempt.

Sheffield now had their backs up and continued to pressurise the Keighley line, being held up once over the line and some dogged defence from Keighley preventing the score. A penalty was given away and Liam Salvin took the 3 points. Sheffield was now in the lead 8-7.

Straight from the kick off Sheffield was back deep in Keighley territory and a penalty kick attempt was turned down to keep the pressure on the Keighley line, a decision rewarded by a try from Tom Womack and a failed conversion attempt brought the half to an end.

The second half was very different from the first, Keighley making changes in the front row to bolster the weak scrum, and possession at the scrum and break down provided Keighley with many an opportunity to attack the Sheffield line. Dogged defence from the forwards at the ruck and maul keeping the forwards from scoring and heroic tackles made by the backs keeping Keighley at bay throughout the majority of the second half. Keighley chasing the vital score to potentially take the lead, memories of defeat against Wharfedale flooded back, that is until Full Back Alec Stephens made a break away down the left flank running the distance of the pitch but to be caught on the 5 metre line by the Keighley winger, the determination of the Sheffield team to get the winning score showed with Nick King backing up and creating the ruck and winning the ball. The ball was spread out wide to the hands of Chris ‘Viking’ Stanney who took contact and offloaded to scrum half Freddy Oakey to saunter in for the winning score. Liam Salvin adding the conversion.

The game ended with that and a great win was completed against a stubborn side under difficult circumstances, but a performance that showed great determination and application from a strong Sheffield side who, if they continue to grind out wins like these, will definitely be at the right end of the table come the end of the season.

Next up is Yarnbury away on 14th November.