Rugby League: Town grab first league win

From the archive, first published Friday 3rd Feb 2006.

Drighlington 24 Keighley Albion 14 - Albion travelled to Drighlington in the hope of achieving a league double over last season's champions but it was not to be.

The home team who were clearly out to avenge their recent defeat at Highfield hit the visitors early with a try some 4 minutes from the kick off after some uncharacteristic lapses in the Albion defence allowed them over the line for a four-pointer easily goaled to give them a 6-0 lead.

Albion replied with an Alan Muff penalty but this was their only first half reward as the home side piled on a further 2 tries both converted to give them an emphatic 18-2 lead after only 20 minutes of play.

A large travelling support for the visitors were clearly stunned by a lacklustre start but Albion who were clearly struggling with the early pace regrouped and were unlucky not to score with winger Marsden just failing to ground an astute kick over the Drighlington defence. This was to be the last effort of the half and the visitors went into the break 18-2 down.

This encounter truly was a game of two halves with Albion substitute James Young scoring a well taken solo try just 2 minutes into the second half with his subsequent conversion pulling Keighley back to 18-8.

Albion forwards Wrench, Mount and Dooling marshalled by Gwilliam had the home side well and truly on the back foot until a stray pass form Gwilliam was intercepted just inside the Drighlington half for their centre to race in under the posts. An easy conversion restored their lead to 24-8 but this only inspired Albion who promptly responded with a try for Alex Young goaled by his older brother James which kept Keighley in the hunt.

Some enthusiastic tackling from Boocock and Bailey saw Drighlington surrender possession but Albion were twice thwarted by the covering covering defence. Despite threatening the home line Albion failed to take advantage of a tiring side and finished the game losing 24-14.

Pickles, Atkins and and Boocock also impressed for Albion but clearly the early lapses in the first quarter proved to be their downfall.

Albion will be looking for a significant improvement this Saturday when they travel to mid-table Siddal. K.O. 2.30.

Keighley Town 23

Siddal 4

Town pulled off an impressive first league victory when they finally clicked into gear.

It was a result that has been threatening for some time as they have shown their ability in cup competitions.

Andrew Stokes scored two tries and was backed up by Quinten Sneed, Harry Burns and Neil Kennedy who kicked four goals and a drop goal.

Chris Ellison was man of the match and Rob Spencer put in an impredssive performance as he recoveres from a severe knee injury he suffered early in the season.

Silsden Park Rangers 16

Calder Valley 30

The scoreline would suggest a comfortable win for the Halifax side but nothing could be further from the truth. Calder valley came to Silsden sitting pretty at the top of the table and were soon into their stride racing into a 12-point lead after 10 minutes.

The visitors were playing superb open rugby and it looked ominous for Rangers who couldn't get into the game. After 20 minutes Silsden got a foothold in the game, their defence began to get the measure of the visitors attack and were soon on the scoresheet themselves with Danny Horne breaking the line to score. Rangers confidence was now up and they started to control the game with Horne and Andy Bowness running the show. Good work from Chris Langdale and Mark Holden allowed the ball to be sent out wide to Chris Greenwood who showed great strength to stride out of a tackle and force his way over. Silsdens forwards took control Neil Jordan, Dave Emmott and Greenwood all making big yards and Horne was a constant threat. Rangers suffered a major setback when Horne had to leave the field due to a serious hand injury, and then Mark Ives was sent to the sin bin for lying on. Silsdens defence stood firm holding out to halftime with the score at 8-12. Silsden started the second half well. Ives was back from the sin bin and was making up for lost time. Defences were on top and the score stayed the same for 15 minutes. Silsden were missing Hornes cutting edge in attack. Rangers were dealt another blow when Jordan was carried off with serious knee injury. The next try was going to be vital and it went to Silsden, a great move sent Sean Cole in at the corner to level the scores. Calder Valley were back in front almost immediately. A mistake from the kick off gave them field position and they forced their way over out wide. Silsden would not lie down and scored again when Dean Williamson burrowed his way through from the play of the ball. Although Silsden had scored more tries they were still trailing 16-18. Calder Valley capitalised on another mistake for an easy try to give themselves an 8 point gap with five minutes left. Rangers gave everything they had left to try and get themselves back in the game. Ives burst the line deep in his own half and was just pulled down yards from the line by a brilliant cover tackle by the visitors fullback. Calder Valley scored in the last minute to give the Halifax side a flattering scoreline that didn't tell the whole story. The final whistle blew to a hugely entertaining game.

Rangers welcome Ovenden to Silsden tomorrow.

Archive Home