Saturday 23 March saw a top-of-the-table clash between Keyworth and West Bridgford 2nds. Both teams entered the contest unbeaten in 2024 with Keyworth unbeaten in the league for the 23/24 season to date.Â
The prize, local bragging rights and the best chance at promotion. The location: Fortress Widmerpool, where Keyworth has only lost one league game since September 2022.
The match was keenly contested for the full 80 minutes and was a testament to the quality of both sides. Keyworth started brightly; however, several handling errors lead to a series of scrums in the first ten minutes. It was the home side who broke the deadlock 13 minutes. Winning a turnover in the West Bridgford 22, Keyworth immediately attacked wide with James Porritt crossing the whitewash. Skipper Tom Kieran missed the conversion.
© Rob Inglis
Keyworth struck again five minutes later. A penalty was kicked deep into the West Bridgford 22, and a blindside lineout move brought Keyworth within inches of the line. The home side forwards set about their task and after some strong defense from West Bridgford, Matt Lindley found a gap and added Keyworth’s second try which was duly converted.
West Bridgford would not be so easily beaten and were next to trouble the scoreboard. With a quick ball from a ruck on halfway the ball was spread wide to winger Brian Lewandowski who carried well down the touchline. Offloading out of the tackle, Will Lyon notched the first try of the afternoon for West Bridgford with the conversion missed.
As has been the case for most of the season, Keyworth was quick to respond. Several strong carries from the forward pack and good ball retention saw Keyworth stretch the West Bridgford defence to allow Sean Harrington to score in the corner. The windy conditions saw another conversion come up short. The final 10 minutes of the first half mirrored the opening 10 minutes, with most of the play limited to scrums around halfway. The final play of the half saw Harrison Ashby kick a penalty for West Bridgford, half-time score Keyworth 17, West Bridgford 8.
Keyworth started the second half strongly and was awarded a penalty four minutes in, which was knocked over by Tom Kieran. The next 20 minutes belonged solely to West Bridgford, who spent most of this time in the Keyworth 22. From a scrum close to the Keyworth line, West Bridgford attacked wide and got to within metres of the try line; the ball was brought back to the middle of the pitch where Joseph Shaw barged his way over. The conversion hits the post.
The home crowd was starting to get nervous and when West Bridgford almost scored directly from the kickoff the tension was palpable. The poor defence allowed the kickoff to be returned deep into the Keyworth half. The ball was quickly recycled and spun wide where West Bridgford crossed the try line. Fortunately, however; the ball was deemed held up (a decision that split opinion!).
Keyworth regained their composure and after a great break from the back of a scrum by Harry Brookes found themselves back in West Bridgford territory and this is where they would remain. A great carry from James Porrit was held up over the line, but the subsequent drop-out went straight into touch. From the resulting 5m scrum, Harry Brookes picked from the base to force his way over and secure the bonus point score in front of a buoyant home crowd.Â
The final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations on the pitch and the touchline as the win secured Keyworth’s promotion to Counties 2 for next season.
Final Score: Keyworth 25 – 13 West Bridgford II
