Keighley set for new season

3:49pm Thursday 28th August 2008

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Keighley RUFC have had a solid pre-season and are ready for the start of the 2008-09 season, which kicks off with a cup match on Saturday, September 6.

The club's first team coach, Jeff Inman, begins his fourth season in charge and likes what he sees from a squad which is larger than previous seasons.

Inman said: "The encouraging thing about this year is our positive pre-season. We are usually a slow starter but we feel more organised this years.

"The numbers are up which means the second and third teams should be able to start their games sooner than usual."

Although the team will smarting from the loss of young Rob Wilkinson to university and the influential presence of former captain, Rob Ellis, Keighley will welcome some new players to go alongside the development of some young talent.

One of those youngsters was stand off Alex Brown, who had breakthrough season last year that saw him take over the goal-kicking duties and receive a call-up to the Yorkshire U-20s.

The new signings include young Matthew Langstaff, a full back who played for Wharfedale's second team, the Foresters, last season.

The addition of a veteran presence include the likes of Neil Jordan, a centre/winger who has played in the local amateur rugby league ranks.

Keighley will also be boosted by the signing of New Zealander Moa Meki, a back row forward who last season helped Skipton achieve promotion to Yorkshire One.

Inman is expecting a very competitive league this season with the new teams being York, returning from the Northern League, and newly promoted Old Brodleians and Skipton from Yorkshire Two.