Knottingley v West Leeds
The corresponding fixture last season saw West Leeds lose 0-7 in the last minute of added time and that effectively cost Wests promotion to division one. With this in mind West Leeds were out to make sure there were no slip ups this time, writes Duncan Broadbent.
In an effort to take the early initiative the visitors chose to take the three points with a Dale Breakwell penalty.
It was winger Danny Booth who was first over the line for West Leeds on 11 minutes, his try being converted by Breakwell. 0-10
Knottingley hit back with a penalty on 34 minutes to make it 3-10.
It took the West Leeds forwards just three minutes to open up the gap with a converted try 3-17. And it was the forwards again with a Jamie Cockin catch and drive from the lineout leading to a George Carpenter try and the trusty boot of Breakwell added the conversion 3-24.
With the game out of the home sides reach they reverted to the old style answer of a brawl in the 57th minute and a bonus brawl on the 67th.
It’s not the best course of action because when you’re fighting you’re not scoring. A couple of years ago the young West Leeds side would have been intimidated by the over physical approach but they have matured so quickly it simply drove them on.
On 78 minutes it was the turn of another forward Sean Fields to add to the score with a simple try, on this occasion Breakwell missed the conversion 3-29.
The final score came in added time with Jack Marshall continuing his fine form with a try duly converted by Breakwell.
FT 3-36
With Keighley failing to pick up a bonus point in their 22-14 win at Barnsley, Wests move eight points clear at the top and look forward to entertaining 6th placed Wath Upon Dearne next Saturday.
The second XV fixture against Yarnbury at Blue Hill Lane was a victim of the weather.