RAMPANT KEYWORTH RUN RIPLEY RHINOS RAGGED!

Last week, the skipper asked for an improvement in discipline. He got it, plus a performance of great determination and effort from the entire squad. The only thing he wants now is a kicker for Christmas!

Firstly, a big thanks to newcomer Chris Mackintosh and former U17 player, Ashley Waldron, who both kindly played almost the whole game for Ripley Rhinos to make it an even contest, at least in terms of numbers.

Another new player who made a big impression, was Aaron Browning, who came on for the unlucky Tom Martin. Aaron, despite not having played since school, showed good hands, good pace and good support play.

Despite uncontested scrums, giving the visitors at least some quantity of possession, Keyworth were dominant from the first whistle of referee Miles Halley, who turned in an excellent display. The first try was not long in coming as centre Mark King drove over from short range. His second, five minutes later, was a score of some beauty, with some strong running from the forwards followed by the ball being spun to the backs who performed not one, but two, precision cutbacks for Kingy to fall over the line. He will, however, be remembered more for the blatant and heinous offence of ‘jug-avoidance’ as he clearly deliberately spilled the ball, when over the line, late on.

He will not doubt be dealt with severely when the court is next in session! As will Chris Mackintosh, who, when wearing a Keyworth shirt, firstly attempted and missed a drop-goal from 25m and secondly kicked away perfect possession deep in the Rhinos half. On both occasions he had more athletic support around him than the entire stockroom of the local jock-strap factory.

Keyworth turned round 27 points up, thanks to further tries from JP Disney, the strong, straight running of Adam Waldron and a solo effort from a ‘greedy’ captain who stretched over after a tap-penalty on the visitors 22. He then exhorted his troops to ensure that they got the next score after the break and did not let the ever-competitive Ripley side, back into the game. They didn’t let him down and within 5 minutes of the restart, man of the match, Tom Holmes scored a great virtuoso try, breaking through the efforts of at least half a dozen defenders.

Three more tries followed from the evergreen Darryl Jones, combatative, scrum-half Chris Hutchinson and the elusive Jason Holland. Special mention must also go to young Tom Bradshaw for some great drives close to the breakdown, Mark Scott for his hitting of the rucks and Tsangy for some brilliant evasive running, even if he does sometimes travel 50m to make 15m. The front-row of Marriott, Sheen and Maddocks, despite being deprived of their diet of contested scrums worked tirelessly around the field, whilst John Scott and Lee Broadhead supplied a constant stream of line-out possession.

A tremendous team effort and many in this team are really enjoying the way in which things are ‘gelling’ on the pitch and the consistency in team members. The spirit in the side is superb and they look forward to a stern test next week against Moderns IIIs.