Keighley visited The Jim Saynor ground having never been beaten by the home side. Keighley kicked off and were quickly testing the home side’s defence. An off side penalty on the home 22 and Keighley take the lead, 0-3. The Pythons respond well with Natsuki Barclay using his forward pack to execute several well controlled phases. The pressure forces the away side to concede a penalty, Ben Pryor steps forward and levels the score, 3-3. Keighley revert to a kicking game. Max Sharp, safe under the high ball, gathers a kick and releases Sam Beagrie who powers along the flank. A tackle attempt leaves the defending player needing attention and the referee halts the game. Scrum to The Pythons – Barclay feeds Harry Smith who passes to Harry Brayshaw on halfway. Brayshaw’s electrifying pace rounds the defence and he even arcs a defender in the ‘in goal’ area to score under the posts, 10-3 on 10 mins. Pressure caused by The Pythons runners Peter Millward, Will Milnes and Harry Butler bring another off side penalty for Smith to put Keighley on their 10m line. Butler hits Hugh Tatlow in the middle of the line and Barclay gets Jordan Payne and Marcus Fotherby moving forwards. An unfortunate spilled ball and Keighley clear. Sharp carries back to half way and Keighley are forced to defend against Millward, Tatlow and Jack McGowan. Pressure once again earns The Pythons a penalty and Keighley a yellow card. Pryor’s kick rebounds from the up right and a clearance kick made. Beagrie’s powerful runs are too much for Keighley and they concede another penalty attempting to stop him. Smith kicks to within 15m of the line. Butler picks out Tatlow once again, Barclay feeds Harry Jackson who steps and feeds Payne running a great line to score under the posts. Pryor adds the extras, 17-3 on 35 mins. Keighley cross the line on the stroke of half time, 17-10.
Jackson, Mattie Tuff and Millward all combine and force Keighley to concede another penalty on half way. Smith attempts the long range shot and is just wide. Rhys Cory turns the ball over in mid field and wins a scrum. Safe ball once again and Smith makes a 20m break and feeds Jackson to sprint over to score, 22-10. Keighley come back hard forcing the home side into a period of defence within 10m of their line. Superb tackling from Pryor, Jackson, Butler and McGowan frustrate Keighley resulting in them giving away an off side penalty 5m from The Pythons line. The referee advances the mark a further 10m for some advice offered from the Keighley pack. Smith clears to half way. Secure line out ball again and McGowan bullocks his way through the mid field. Some superb counter rucking from Fotherby earns the home side another penalty, Smith to 5m. Tatlow takes clean ball and the drive begins. The ball pops out and a defending scrum is awarded. Keighley clear. Line out success again and Barclay finds Jackson in space. He carries 5m and off loads to supporting Cory to race 30m and score under the posts and earn his team a try bonus point, 29 – 10. Full time.
After the game Head Coach John Liley said, “The lads put in an accomplished performance to record another comprehensive home victory to remain on course to chase for 8th place in the league. We displayed discipline and accuracy in recording a bonus point victory. We have looked to play a more expensive style of rugby over the last few weeks and it has paid dividends. Recording another win on our final home game In front of a healthy crowd, as the sun shone, was a fitting finish to our home league campaign. Finishing our season on a high is massively important to all concerned at the club given the progress we have made this season.” The Whittaker’s Distillery man of the match was awarded to Harry Jackson by Gus Dunlop.
The Pythons remain in 9th place 9 points ahead of Hullensians who suffered a heavy defat to Yarnbury. Hull have a game in hand and are 1 point ahead of Beverley who beat West Leeds at home. The Pythons final game is away at relegated Leodiensian. With potentially 2 teams to be relegated The Pythons look safe with a possibility of overtaking Wensleydale in the last league game.
