Todmorden 27 Silsden Park Rangers 12 - Despite putting up a gritty performance, Rangers didn't get the rewards their efforts deserved, in a hard fought encounter at Todmorden. Silsden were led from the front by their all-action Man of the Match Jim Coldwell, while skipper Neil Jordan was both their top tackler and main attacking threat. Stan Hare, Jason Lister and playmaker Sean Cooper also turned in fine displays.
Todmorden dominated the early exchanges, and outstanding full back Ian Robinson seemed to be keeping them at bay almost single-handedly, with some exemplary last-ditch defensive work. But Silsden stuck doggedly to their task, and restricted Tod to a solitary drop goal. Eventually, Rangers started making attacking inroads themselves and Jordan was desperately unlucky to be recalled for a highly dubious forward pass decision when released from 20 yards by Andy Bowness. There was no dispute moments later however, when Bowness' deft chip over the defence was regathered by Jordan who drew the cover neatly before sending Bowness scampering to the posts.
Bowness himself converted, to give Rangers a 6-1 interval lead.
As is their habit, Tod came out much stronger on the restart, and moved into the lead with a converted try on their first attack. Shortly afterwards they added another as their strong running forwards began to find the gaps.
However, Rangers still wouldn't lie down, and Jordan was again unlucky to have claims for a try ruled out following a kick and chase effort from halfway. Even more controversially, they had much more clear cut claims for a try turned down shortly afterwards, when speedy winger Nigel Chew apparently won the race to touch down Cooper's slide rule kick to the line, only for the referee to mystifingly award a tap 20 to Todmorden.
Tod took full advantage of this let off to storm down the other end and post their third try and move 17-6 ahead. Rangers gave themselves brief hope when, direct from the resulting kick off, Jordan stole the ball from the home recipient and raced over for an opportunist try. Bowness goaled again to raise hopes of an against-the-odds Silsden win, but Tod's extra fitness and firepower told in the end, as they ran in two late tries to give them a slightly flattering 27-12 success.
Coach Graeme Sheffield will be looking for more of the same commitment tomorrow (Saturday), when Rangers travel to Rotherham (kick off 2pm).
Birkenshaw 26
Keighley Town 30
A GREAT second half performance by Keighley town saw them dent the promotion hopes of title contenders Birkenshaw.
A combination of fine play from the Bradford side, and lack of match play by town, saw Birkenshaw storm into a 20-0 lead by the break.
Man of the match Daz Lynam led the second half revival with Darren Walton starting the scoring. He collected an inside ball from Richard Shaw to score behind the posts and give Fudge an easy conversion.
Minutes later Rocky McNulty crossed after being put into a gap by Lynam and Fudge again converted. With town in control Lynam strolled in for a well deserved try and Kennedy goaled to put the Keighley side within two points.
Birkenshaw extended their lead with a disputed try, but to their credit Town did not give up. Stand-off Richard Shaw won the race to collect his own chip through and Kennedy converted to leave the match on a knife edge. With time running out scrum half Neil Kennedy supported a break by Lynam to out-strip the defence and added the extra to complete a remarkable recovery and give Town the match.
Full back Ryan Hanson again impressed as did Darren Walton and Dale Barlow in the forwards with Richard Shaw and Neil Kennedy the pick of the backs.
Keighley Town 'A' 8
Keighley Albion 28
Albion travelled to Marley determined to do the double over local rivals Keighley Town 'A' and ended up convincingly winning a rather stop-start match to secure their mid-table position and place the home side nearer to relegation.
Town started better, taking advantage of some rather indifferent refereeing, a few consecutive penalties placed them within range to kick an early penalty. Following this setback the Albion defence, lead by a vociferous Gary Baxter, started to dominate the game. Hooker Richard Hollins marshalled the pack and after 20 minutes of increasing Albion attacks he scored a well-earned try. He spotted a gap and scooted straight through go over from 15 metres out. Glen Palmer added the kick.
Soon after Gary Baxter forced his way over at short range and with Glen Palmer adding the goal. With this lead Albion relaxed their defence and the home side managed to gain a try of their own to make the half-time score 12-8.
After the break Albion came out determined to keep a clean sheet for the second half. With Captain Andy Parker and second-rower Gareth Bottomley snuffing out all of the Town attacks and half-backs Ross Smollen and Glen Palmer orchestrating the attack Albion took command. Andy Parker shrugged off the attentions of 4 tacklers to go over near the posts. Glen Palmer added the kick. In the next set of six tackles, some neat passing between Gary Baxter and Steve Bennett down one wing saw Bennett go in for a spectacular try, Palmer again converting.
Keighley Town resorted to some unique tactics to slow down the scoring. Long intervals of time were spent waiting for several players to get successful treatment for injuries. This slowed down the Albion attacks but did not prevent Danny Seaton forcing his way over at close range to wrap up the scoring.
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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