Heath 32

Keighley 8

KEIGHLEY were outmuscled by fifth-placed Heath as they crashed to defeat in awful conditions in Yorkshire Division One.

Conceding at least two stones a man in the pack, Danny McGee's Keighley were always going to find the going difficult and so it proved.

The weather dictated how the game was played. Although both teams tried to move the ball, the early stages were dominated by a kicking game.

Pressure eventually brought Heath a penalty converted by centre Ezra Hinchliffe. A little latter, a break out of defence by full-back Joe Copperwaite and some good back-up play led to a penalty that allowed Alex Brown the chance to level the score.

The game opened up and Heath tried hard to move the ball wide, however, with Keighley’s strong centres Sean Kelly and Adam Horsfall relishing their defensive duties, there was little room available.

Heath, focusing on their strength the pack, gained good field position and, from a line-out take and drive, second row Seife Boussadda was driven over converted by Hinchliffe.

Towards the end of the half a series of scrum infringements led the referee to award Heath a penalty try.

The second half was very much a replay of the first. Keighley were keen at the breakdown and more than holding their own in the line-out thanks to excellent work from James Fox and Tom Willson.

Unfortunately for Keighley a pass went to ground which gave Heath’s centre Isaiah Spooner a gifted try.

Keighley tried hard to get back in the game but they were always going to struggle in the scrum.

A Heath scrum on the Keighley five-metre line was driven over and number eight Richard Brown touched down.

To compound their difficulties Keighley lost two players through injury, however they never gave up trying and a strong run by centre Sean Kelly allowed Copperwaite space that led to a try wide out.

Towards the end of the game Keighley found themselves scrummaging on their five-metre line and once again the outcome was the same, a second try for number eight Brown.

Although ninth-placed Keighley suffered a resounding defeat, they never gave up trying against quality opposition who, on the day, were too efficient and powerful up front.