Old Rishworthians notched an impressive 48-29 win over keighley in Yorkshire II, but could have been more comrtobale winners.
The Copley side were cruising with a 31–5 lead at half-time, but the visitors used their forwards to better effect in the second half to make the final score look more respectable.Within three minutes the home side were ahead when Chris Dyson won good ball in the lineout before Andrew Shickell linked with Ben Black to send Anthony Shoesmith over for a try, converted by Joe Billing.
Keighley showed signs of what could be expected in the second half when prop Craig Spencer scored the first of his three tries from a driving maul. Rishworthian centre Taniela Bakoso, made a break in midfield and passed to Billing, who dived over in the corner for an unconverted try.
After a scrum on the visitors’ line, prop Ryan Mudd scored under the posts and Billing converted. Rishworthians got their bonus point try when Black combined with Fraser Swarbrooke, who drew his man to put Billing over again in the corner.
A quickly taken penalty saw Mudd over again for a try converted by Billing just before the break. Soon after the restart Frank Watene burrowed over for a try converted by Billing. Centre Matthew Hunt-Brown then made space with Billing, before play was switched for Shoesmith to score a second a try which was converted by Billing.
The supply of ball suddenly dried up and for the remaining half the home side struggled. Shickell and Jioti Bakoso were yellow carded and Keighley started keeping the ball in the forwards.
Billing kicked a penalty before Spencer scored two more tries in identical fashion and hooker Will Armitage added a fourth. Danny McGee kicked two conversions and scored a try to make the final score 48-29.
Results, Northern Division North I East: Old Crossleyans 36 Driffield 7
Yorkshire I: Old Brodleians 16 Malton & Norton 20, Yarnbury 53 Heath 37
Yorkshire II: Old Rishworthians 48 Keighley 29
Yorkshire IV: Skipton 20 Halifax 29, Hornsea 5 Halifax Vandals 15
