FROM THE DUGOUT: “WE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS REQUIRED”

Matt Danville gives an honest assessment of the defeat to Saddleworth Rangers and looks ahead to Saturday’s decisive visit to Keighley Albion, where victory will send Skirlaugh into the play-off quarter-finals.

There was no attempt from Skirlaugh Head Coach Matt Danville to hide his disappointment following Saturday’s 28–6 defeat to Saddleworth Rangers.

Skirlaugh entered their second play-off group fixture looking to build upon the opening victory over Distington, but it was the visitors who produced the stronger performance at Eastside.

“It was disappointing—there’s no point dressing it up as anything else,” Danville admitted.

“Saddleworth were the better side on the day and deserved their win.

“What probably frustrated me most was that we actually started the game well. We had plenty of early possession and field position, but we didn’t turn it into points.

“Against good sides, when you get those opportunities, you have to take them.

“After that, I felt we became a little passive and allowed Saddleworth to dictate too much of the game. They were disciplined, well organised and clinical when their opportunities came.”

Key moments changed the contest

Despite failing to convert their early pressure, Skirlaugh remained firmly in the game at half-time.

However, Saddleworth’s first score after the interval stretched their advantage to 18 points and left the hosts chasing the contest.

“The game probably got away from us in those key moments either side of half-time,” Danville explained.

“We had enough ball early on to put ourselves in front, but our execution wasn’t where it needed to be. We then conceded and suddenly the momentum shifted.

“At 12–0 at half-time, we were still very much in the contest, but conceding the first score of the second half made it 18–0 and left us chasing the game.

“We did respond through Lochlan’s try, but Saddleworth managed that period afterwards really well.”

Danville believes the result came from a combination of Skirlaugh falling below their usual standards and Saddleworth successfully imposing their own game.

“Our execution certainly wasn’t good enough, particularly when we had opportunities in good areas,” he said.

“But I also thought Saddleworth imposed themselves physically and played with an intensity that we didn’t consistently match.

“We spoke beforehand about needing to go up another level for the play-offs. On Saturday, Saddleworth did that better than we did.

“That’s something we have to own rather than make excuses for.”

Turning disappointment into a response

The defeat brought Skirlaugh’s impressive unbeaten Eastside run to an end, but Danville insists one difficult afternoon does not undo everything the group has achieved.

“The players were hurting, which I’d expect them to be,” he continued.

“Nobody enjoys losing, particularly at home after the record we’ve built at Eastside this season. But one defeat doesn’t suddenly make us a bad side.

“The important thing is how you respond. We’ve reviewed the game honestly and now it’s about putting that energy into Keighley.

“There’s no point feeling sorry for ourselves because we’ve still got everything to play for.”

Saturday’s final group fixture could not be more straightforward for Skirlaugh: win at Keighley Albion and a place in the play-off quarter-finals is secured.

“There are no complicated permutations for us now,” said Danville. “We go to Keighley and win, and we’re in the quarter-finals.

“As a coach, in some ways I quite like that clarity. We know exactly what is required.

“We’ve worked since pre-season to put ourselves into meaningful games at this stage of the year. Well, this is about as meaningful as it gets.”

A dangerous Keighley side

Keighley responded to defeat in their opening play-off fixture against Saddleworth by recording a convincing 52–12 victory over Distington.

That result demonstrated the attacking threat Skirlaugh will face this weekend.

“Scoring 52 points in a play-off game certainly gets your attention,” Danville acknowledged.

“After losing their opening fixture at Saddleworth, they responded in exactly the way a good side should.

“They’ll take confidence from that and they’re back at home again this weekend.

“But equally, we’ll concentrate on what we can control. We know what we’re capable of when we get our own game right.”

Keighley topped Yorkshire A after winning 14 league matches and ending the regular season with a points difference of more than 400.

Danville respects those numbers but wants Skirlaugh to travel with confidence rather than fear.

“You don’t finish top of your competition by accident,” he said.

“They can clearly score points and punish teams when they build momentum.

“We’ll respect that, but we can’t go there frightened of what Keighley might do. We need to be confident in what we do.

“The challenge is to make them deal with us just as much as we have to deal with them.”

Selection challenges

Skirlaugh will travel with several players unavailable through injury, making selection particularly difficult ahead of such an important fixture.

“We have a large injury list and some very good players on the sidelines, which is frustrating and unfortunate at this stage of the season,” Danville explained.

“However, we’ve also got lads pushing hard for places and different combinations available to us.

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned about this group, it’s that they’ll fight for each other until the end.

“Saturday will require physicality, but it will also require calm heads. You can’t afford to get caught up in the emotion of a must-win game.

“Yes, we have players missing, but we’ll pick the 17 we believe give Skirlaugh the best possible chance of winning.”

Setting the tone from the first whistle

Danville has made it clear that Skirlaugh cannot afford to take time to grow into Saturday’s contest.

The intensity, discipline and execution must be present from the opening set.

“We need to set the tone,” he said.

“We need to carry with intent, finish our sets properly, defend aggressively and remain disciplined.

“We can’t wait 15 or 20 minutes to see what sort of game it’s going to be. We need to understand what’s at stake and arrive ready to compete from the first whistle.

“Most importantly, we need to earn the right to play. We have to get the fundamentals right first and then allow our rugby to come off the back of that.”

Another chapter still to be written

Skirlaugh have already made considerable progress this season—finishing second in Yorkshire B by a single point, reaching the BARLA National Cup quarter-finals, completing the regular season unbeaten at Eastside and bringing several young players into the First Team.

Danville is proud of that progress, but this is not yet the time to reflect.

“Reaching the quarter-finals would mean a lot,” he said.

“When you look at where this group has come from, there’s been a huge amount of progress.

“I’m proud of what the players and everyone around the Open Age have built, but I don’t want us looking back yet.

“While we’re still alive in this competition, there’s an opportunity to add another chapter.

“Get through Saturday and we’re three games away from achieving something very special.”

“Come with us”

Danville finished with a direct message for the Skirlaugh supporters considering making the journey to Keighley:

“Come with us.

“The support we’ve had this year has been unbelievable and the lads genuinely appreciate it.

“Saturday is effectively knockout rugby for us. Our season is on the line and we’re going to Keighley determined to make sure it continues.

“If you’re able to make the journey, get your black and gold on and get behind the lads.

“We’ve been in this together all season.”

UP NEXT

Keighley Albion v Skirlaugh
Saturday 19 September
Kick-off: 2:30pm

One game. One opportunity. Win and progress.