Kelly shines as Rishies notch double

They did it with some excellent intelligent rugby, coming from behind to score 19 unanswered points and dominate the second half.

Delighted player-coach Chris Stone said: “We did what we said we would, starving them of possession and playing in the right places.”

They started badly, however, putting themselves under pressure with two unforced knock-ons and two penalties left them six points behind.

Apart from good play by fullback Liam Phillips, flanker Gerard Rollings and teenage winger Sam Nunn, they seemed ponderous and made too many mistakes.

Eventually a long pass caught them out and led to an unconverted try in the corner.

Suddenly the visitors started to win possession and as confidence grew, stand-off Josh Kelly made a superb 40-yard break to take play to the home 22.

He was well supported by hooker Jack Smart and although No 8 James Clarke was stopped just short, the ball went wide for winger Anthony Shoesmith to cross in the corner.

A good linking pass from Stone almost put Rollings through, but it brought a penalty and Kelly made it 11-8.

After the break it was all Rishworthians, with man of the match Kelly’s tactical and clearance kicking immaculate.

Clarke, Shoesmith, Rollings and Nunn combined in a fine break before Kelly’s cross kick almost put replacement winger Rhys Town in on the right. But play was brought back for a penalty and Kelly levelled the scores.

Soon after Kelly put Rishies ahead with a fine long range effort and from then on they never looked likely conceding.

They harassed well and were quicker to the breakdown, pinning Roundhegians in their own half.

Even though they lost Rollings with a serious leg injury, their momentum never stopped.

A quick tap penalty by scrum half Gary Morris took them back into the home 22. Great work at the ruck by teenage flanker Harvey Keighley-Payne regained possession and Morris put a kick over for Shoesmith to run on to and touch down in the corner.

Rishworthians almost got in again in the final minute.

It was a great confidence-booster for them ahead of next week’s home clash with leaders West Leeds, when Rishworthians hope to play on their Copley pitch for the first time since the Christmas floods.