Rishies finish on low note

Old Rishworthians saved their poorest performance of the season for the last match and lost 27-13 at home to a Knottingley side fighting for their Yorkshire Two lives.
Matthew Hunt-BrownMatthew Hunt-Brown
Matthew Hunt-Brown

However, the visitors’ joy was short-lived as an unexpected victory for Leodiensians at Pontefract left Knttingley needing a win at already-promoted Keighley next week to avoid relegation.

In the first half Rishworthians had to defend well against determined opponents but also had several chances to take the lead.

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Left wing Rhys Town called for the ball in space and a long pass from Josh Kelly put him away on a 50-yard burst.

No 8 Nick Faulkner put in several bullocking runs and teenage flanker Harvey Keighley-Payne, outstanding throughout, was denied as the ball bounced dead after he had charged down a kick.

The home side ended the first half with a Joe Billing penalty, which was cancelled out right at the start of second period by a long range kick.

Mistake after mistake eventually led to the Knottingley left winger squeezing over in the corner for a converted try.

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The home side fought back and both Faulkner and Keighley-Payne almost got over before the ball went out for Billing to touch down, but his conversion attempt hit a post.

It looked as if Rishworthians might at last get their game together but they gifted the visitors a converted try.

An unnecessarily rocket-like pass almost knocked its intended recipient over and the loose ball went to an opponent for a simple run in.

From there Rishworthians’ play got even sloppier and a delighted Knottingley side quickly ran in two unconverted tries to grab a bonus point.

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Although the home side dominated the remainder of the game they failed time and time again to get the ball wide.

Centre Matthew Hunt-Brown was held up over the line, as was Faulkner, before at last they sent it wide and replacement centre Kurt Sutcliffe easily got in for an unconverted try.