Heroic battling display not quite enough against exceptionally strong Chesterfield side

The first chance of points came when Chesterfield were penalised for not releasing, 20m in front of their posts, but Keyworth weren’t able to take advantage as the kick to goal was skewed right of the posts. It took 35 minutes for the stalemate to be broken and it was the home side who opened the scoring with a try that came from strong forward play after Keyworth had failed to find touch. With the conversion missed and finding themselves 5 points in arrears, Keyworth came storming back and levelled the scores on the stroke of half-time when a barn-storming run by centre Ben Ransom ended with him crashing over with most of Chesterfield hanging on his back. Jack Whelbourne’s attempted conversion sadly hit the upright to deny the visitors an interval lead.

Chesterfield were clearly rattled, believing their very strong side would easily dispose of a team that was struggling in the scrum and living off scraps and turnovers from tremendous defensive efforts. They did however, get the next score, on 55 minutes to take them into a 7 point lead. Once again, this valiant Keyworth side redoubled their efforts and their reward came through a burrowing, Aaron Browning try, converted by Jack Whelbourne, after a great siege was laid to the Chesterfield line by the Black & Amber forwards and backs.

With 15 minutes remaining, the decisive score came from Chesterfield’s large inside centre, who barged his way through some tired tackling by the Keys defence to cross the visitor’s line and his try was converted to give Chesterfield a winning lead. A massive attempt to get back into the game by Keyworth was unfortunately to no avail as they were penalised on each occasion they got close to the home side’s line. Their closest chance came when Tom Muncey put in a great run, only to be denied by a foot in touch.

At the last play of the game, the home side unbelievably failed to put the ball into touch and as Keyworth almost gained a turnover, the Chesterfield prop forward deliberately threw the ball into touch, giving the visitors the ball back and one last chance. At the same time, the Chesterfield No. 8 was finally penalised for foul play and received a yellow card, the diminutive, Jason Whelbourne took a quick tap and got Keyworth moving out of their own half and into opposition territory. As Keyworth threatened to snatch a draw, the home side resorted to some questionable tactics and the game ended with an exchange of pleasantries between the teams.

Keyworth can be justifiably proud of their titanic efforts to get a result and in sticking together right to the end, against a side that bore little or no resemblance to the side that visited Widmerpool earlier in the season. Thanks to the club members who filled into some of the gaps in the 2nd XV squad to give the team a full complement. Several individual performances deserve mention, starting with Neil Shanks, playing with a shoulder injury but putting in an immense game at the coalface. In fact all of the front-row players gave everything they had against much larger opponents.

Back row forwards Doug Martin and Jack Starr tackled their hearts out and both carried well. Young backs, Tom Muncey, Alex Tsang and Aaron Browning ran brilliantly in attack and were heroic in defence, the latter making several try-saving tackles. Ben Ransom, coming on for the injured Luke Hartland, deservedly took the Man of the Match honours for some great bullocking runs from the 12 slot and some really solid midfield tackling.

This loss probably puts an end to Keyworth’s promotion chances but they can be rightly proud of the spirit they have built in this team and many of the performances they have put in this season, often against sides who have unfortunately wanted to do things other than play rugby. The desire by this side to play good, hard, fast running rugby has been a pleasure to witness as has been the development of so many young players, many of whom should be playing 1st XV rugby next season.

Next Saturday, hopefully sees a ‘double-header’ at Widmerpool, with the 2nd XV playing an early kick-off against Ripley Rhinos in the Pennant, followed immediately by the 1st XV with a promotion deciding battle versus Meden Vale. Both teams need all the support they can get to make this a weekend to remember!