Two equally matched sides lined up for the eagerly awaited restart of the 2024 season. Both sides started well, completing their first couple of sets, both displaying strong running, good passing and tackling. The deadlock was broken when Dodworth centre, Mikey Porro- Eaden broke the Keighley line and ran through for the first try of the match. Following completed sets from both sides, Porro -Eaden again struck, touching down for a second time. The game settled, both sides playing strong games, Charlie Talent making some fine attacking runs. A strong tackle combination from Dodworth’s Unwin and Smith caused the ball to break loose which was collected by Brundred who in turn fed French who then raced through the broken Keighley defence to add try number three. Dodworth started to dominate and a further passage of play saw Porro -Eaden complete his hat trick. Keighley fought back and at the end of a good set , their No 1 forced his way in at the corner. Keighley attacked again and following a swift move, their No 14 went over the line unopposed. Stung, Dodworth went forward and following a couple of short passes, scrum half Sykes completed a superb show and go, wrong footing the Keighley defence and sprinting from the half way line to add try number five. The game again settled and Dodworth completed their final set of the half when centre, French again broke through from long range and touched down try number six. Keighley refused to give in and completed their final set of the half with a neat chip kick which was collected by their No 13 who crossed the line., scoring the final try of the half just before the whistle. Dodworth started the second half strongly and following several passes, full back Hallas collected the ball, made a trade mark break and ran in try No 7. Dodworth continued to push, both Wood and Davies showing good handling skills before releasing Porro -Eaden who fought his way over the line for try No 8. Again Keighley fought back and fine passing combination saw their No 8 nip through for the visitors 4th try. Undeterred, Dodworth again went forward and from fifteen yards, team captain Cooper powered his way through the Keighley defence, touching down try No 9, taking four defenders with him. In the next set, Tthe visitors tried to play their way forward but a loose pass was seized by Dodworth winger Fretwell who touched down unopposed.Both sides completed a set each before Keighley again sent up another well placed kick which was collected by their No 1 who scored his second and the visitors final try of the game. As the game moved towards its close, Keighley resolve finally broke and this allowed Cooper to steam through for a further two tries, to complete his hat trick. In the last minute, player of the match Porro -Eaden again broke loose to score his fifth and Dodworth’s final try of the game.
