KEYWORTH KEEP THE WINNING HABIT

In a nail-biting finish, Keyworth thankfully failed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, despite trying very hard at times.

Moderns IIIs arrived, like others before them this season, with just nine men. Keyworth, generous to a fault, gave them enough players to make a full side for most of the game and it nearly cost them dear, as Moderns second half effort, down the hill, almost secured them what would have been an improbable victory with their own resources.

Once again, a big thank you to all those who donned a Moderns shirt, whether for half or a full game. Everyone who did, played as hard and as well as if they’d been wearing the black and gold.

Keyworth started strongly, particularly upfront and it wasn’t long before the Moderns line was coming under severe pressure. Eventually it cracked as Jason Holland, cheekily robbed tall running Lee Broadhead to cross the line. Mark King obliged with the extra two points. Moments later, Holland thought he’d scored again but his overconfidence cost him dear as he was foiled in the act of grounding by Tom Bradshaw playing for the visitors, to huge embarrassment and potentially a huge fine when the court session is eventually held!

A second try did follow when the ever improving Tom Holmes crossed correctly and then veteran winger Andy Evans, in his first start of the season, made it three tries for the home side, who turned round 19 points to the good, thanks to a second Mark King conversion. It could have been a lot more but for too many players succumbing to white-line fever

At half-time changes were made in the Keyworth line-up and the plea from Moderns to go to uncontested scrums brought them right back into the game, with their lively hooker and scrum-half to the fore as the shackles of the Keyworth scrummage were released.

In a deja-vu scenario, Keyworth went to sleep and allowed the opposition to cross for three unconverted tries and but for some last ditch defence it could have been more. A Moderns victory would have been a travesty under the circumstances, but hopefully it has taught the Keyworth second team a salutary lesson, that you cannot afford to switch off when you think the game is won.

So, Keyworth kept their winning run together, but will face a far stiffer test in next week’s Pennant game, away at Mellish. There were of course, many plusses, including the return of Simon Batchelor and Gareth Smith, whose experience will be valued as the season progresses. The excellent debut of Tom Burnham, is another bonus and the hard tackling of Aaron Browning strengthens the defensive effort. Tom Muncey ran well from full-back, as did Alex Tsang in a Moderns shirt.

Highlight of the game came midway through the first half when the indefatiguable John Scott caught a lineout ball on the Keyworth 22 and spurred his troops to drive him on downfield. They were eventually halted on the Moderns 10m line after a Herculean effort.

Skipper and jelly-baby supplier, Starr, thanked so many for turning out and for enabling 30 guys to have a good game of rugby, well managed by Steve Hale as the man in the middle. It’s hugely encouraging that 20+ players were available to don a Keyworth shirt. If we can maintain this commitment and desire, it’s going to be a fantastic year for the ‘Super Seconds’!