Keyworth grab last gasp draw in exciting encounter.

It was the visitors who started the stronger with veteran outside half Roger Glitheroe pulling the strings and making the right decisions. Keyworth found themselves 10 points down after 20 minutes of play. Ashbourne continued to press but it was Keyworth who scored next and brought themselves back into contention through the effervescent Ed Smith, playing in the centre. He managed to evade the tight Ashbourne defence and then literally slipped under the radar to burst through and score from 30 metres. Stuart Clark added the conversion to close the gap to 3 points.
This stung Ashbourne into action and they continued their tactical dominance and to exert pressure. They were rewarded just before half time with their 3rd try to turn round 17 – 7 in the lead. After the break, both teams had their moments, but it was the home side that managed to record the points. With time running out and just 10 minutes left on the officials watch, the strong-running Darren Hartshorne bullied and blasted his way over the line with a typical powerful run to bring Keyworth within 3 points, as Jamie Halpin added the conversion.
From that moment onward, it was a case of could the visitors hold out against the growing Keyworth pressure as they pounded away at the Ashbourne defences. As Keyworth launched a final desperate attack, the pressure told and after running a succession of penalties, an Ashbourne player infringed at the breakdown in his 22 and Keyworth’s captain elected to secure the draw by asking Jamie Halpin to hold his nerve and slot the kick. The youngster duly obliged and honours were even.
It was a cracking game, fought hard and fair by both sides and everyone agreed that it was the right result, as neither team deserved to lose.