Keighley Albion 22 Cutsyke 24

KEIGHLEY Albion started their Yorkshire Men’s League Division One campaign off with a home defeat to Cutsyke Raiders.

Albion’s pack, lead by Garry Boocock and Chris Spencer, were on top in the opening five minutes and earned a penalty for Albion.

Finley Meegan took full advantage to add the first points of the season and give Albion a two-point lead.

For the next 20 minutes Albion’s and Cutsyke’s forwards battled it out with big hits coming from all directions.

Jack Kennedy, Anthony Chapman and Boocock all put their bodies on the line with crunching tackles.

With Kennedy making yards, he off-loaded inside to Rob Spencer who broke the line and drew the fullback to put Hooker Kieron Blakeley in to score under the posts, Meegan converting.

Albion tried to build on their lead but Cutsyke were strong in defence to keep holding them out.

Cutsyke were next on the score sheet to bring the score to 8-6.

Albion kept going and with pressure and Meegan’s great kicking game saw Kris Gott chased down field to collect a bouncing ball to score. Meegan added the two.

Straight from the restart a fumble from Gott gave Cutsyke an easy pick-up and score 14-12.

With Kennedy getting sent to the bin Albion had to dig in.

Once again Meegan put a great little kick through for Morgan Robinson to collect and barge his way over the try-line.

Albion had the lead and were hanging onto it but the pressure from Cutsyke began to tell and the Albion defence were slow to slide out wide to let Cutsyke in.

With their tails up, this time on the opposite side Cutsyke took advantage of the extra man to score again.

With time running down and the whole Albion defence digging in to hold onto the game.

A penalty gave Fin a chance to get the lead back for Albion which he added the two points.

Albion tried to hold on but once again the slide did not happen and Cutsyke snatched victory with a try out wide.

Great team performance but stand out players this week were Meegan great kicking game and control from the young stand-off.

Captain Chris Spencer put in a fine performance and took the Albion’s man of the match award.