Keighley pick holes in Boro game plan (From Keighley News)

Keighley pick holes in Boro game plan

11:50am Thursday 28th January 2010

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Keighley 12 Scarborough 3

Scarborough did their homework on Keighley but it was not enough to stop the Rose Cottage side returning to winning ways.

The east coast side were unable to play the previous week so sent a group of players to watch Keighley’s game at nearby Bridlington.

And the first half showed they had taken note of the Utley side’s strength as they came up with a game plan to nullify it.

They were intent on playing at a fast pace, moving the ball wide as often as possible away from what they regarded as Keighley’s major weapon – the forwards.

Quick hands and quick ruck ball gave them early territorial advantage but the visitors’ defence reigned supreme.

Wave after wave of attacks were easily dealt with by some excellent tackling from Alex Brown – back after his knee injury – Scott Dyson, Adam Horsfall and full back Rob Wilkinson.

For all their efforts, Scarborough only managed a penalty from prop Matty Jones.

Having weathered the storm, good work from Dyson and the back row took the play deep into the opposition half, giving live-wire scrum half Andy Marklew the opportunity to break free.

After quickly making ground, he drew a defender and gave supporting winger Sam Walker an inch-perfect pass that saw him evade a covering tackle and score.

Scarborough replied with further pressure on the Keighley line but were unable to breach a resolute defence.

Whatever the Keighley coaches said to the players at half-time, it certainly worked.

The second half was a complete role reversal as the visitors’ forwards upped their game and drove at every opportunity.

Behind his dominant pack, outside half Brown was able to shrewdly control the game. He regularly changed the point of attack, either through his centres and full back or the rampaging back row of Pullen, Leigh Sugden and Stuart Inman.

Some fine work from wingers Mick Phillips and Walker was only stopped by some last-ditch defence.

The points were sealed when captain Sugden picked up from a scrum some ten metres out and blasted his way through a weak defence to score under the posts, Brown converting.

The game ended on a sour note for Keighley when Sugden was forced to leave the field with a foot injury.

He will miss this weekend’s derby at Yarnbury and will be re-assessed next week with a view to facing leaders Wheatley Hills away on February 6.

Sugden had the same injury earlier this season. Nevertheless, Keighley continue to impress with their entertaining rugby which keeps them in touch with the pacesetters.

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