Yarnbury U14s v Keighley

With quite a few players missing for this game, we had a different look in a few positions. It was a big welcome back to Liam Jackson and Jamie Baker, both having been out all season injured, it was great to see them back in a Yarnbury shirt, plus we had Jacob Butterfield making his debut, all three would add some strength in depth to the squad from the bench.

More importantly our superb touchline reporter was absent so you will have to put up with a basic report from the man in the middle. The boys started well again and have set a standard now that we want to see every week. They dominated all the set pieces, winning lots against the head and Keighley resorting to 3 man lineouts. The first try gave from another scrum won against the head with Maxwell Lee going blind and releasing Alex Koppany from no.8 to squeeze over in the corner. Yarnbury kept up the pressure and Keighley could not exit their own half for the 1st 20 mins. Good strong ball carrying from Luke Woodend (another returning from injury), Harvey Goodall and Sam Brown got the boys on the front foot. The two grovellers in the team Jack Briggs and James Longhawn ensured lots of ball at the ruck and the tries eventually came from the backs as Maxwell Lee, Jamie McDonnell and Edward Green all ran nice lines through the Keighley defence with Darwin King converting 2 of the 4 tries.

Keighley to be fair did not let their heads drop and with just over a minute left of the 1st half scored a nice try from a cross field kick, which was the 1st time they had been in the Yarnbury 22. H/T 24-5 to the blues.

The second half was a lot more even as the game became a little more open and Yarnbury did not stick to their game plan. This suited Keighley as they had some strong quick backs. The first try of the half almost came from Jacob Butterfield on debut who out sprinted the whole defence from his own half, but unfortunately could not get the ball down before his foot hit the in goal line. Yarnbury were to score next, when Liam Jackson was stopped right on the try line after a great carry and Jack Briggs was on hand to pick up and dive over. This was followed by another try by Jamie McDonnell after a great turnover following a tackle and a sprint to the line from 30m. Both second half tries were converted by Darwin King to put Yarnbury 38-5 ahead.

Keighley kept going and did score the last try in the left corner. The try was followed by a yellow card for both teams as players from Keighley ran in to start pushing and shoving following the award of the try, which Carter Proctor got drawn into. Keighley were maybe lucky to only receive one yellow card. The game ended with Yarnbury defending following 3 penalties, but they fought hard to keep Keighley out as the final whistle went to end the game at 38-10.

MOM went to Edward Green, who stood out with his aggressive defence and his direct strong ball carrying. A well deserved MOM as he has been playing consistently well over the last few months and has been unfortunate not to pick a MOM up in that period.

Beverley at home this Sunday.