Keighley’s celebration of 25 years of rugby at Rose Cottage came to an abrupt end with a comprehensive defeat by neighbours Skipton in round one of the Yorkshire Shield competition.
It was, in all probability, the heaviest ever defeat at Utley, and whilst the home side could point to a handful of first choice absentees as an explanation, it was a lacklustre performance by any standards.
The visitors heavier, taller and fitter forwards laid down the platform for success, enabling their backs to attack almost at will and Keighley had no answer to the raw pace of wingmen Liam Ray and Lucas Wootton.
Wootton was the principal tormentor of the Keighley defence, running in 4 tries. His first came after 7 minutes of play when ageless ex-Keighley scrum half Kevin Bottomley’s neat pass gave the winger a half chance which he exploited to the full.
With Keighley’s pack under intense pressure in the scrums, quick possession then set up a break by Wootton leading to a try by hooker and skipper Matt Speres.
Finally,however,Keighley gained a foothold in Skipton territory, an accurate kick by stand off Danny Price setting up an attacking line-out 10 metres out. Possession was won and a solid and skilful drive by the pack brought a try for prop Ollie Sugden. Unfortunately he suffered a knee injury in the process and was forced to leave the field.
Trailing by 14 points to 5 at the break and with Keighley showing signs of a come-back, there was little to indicate their second half capitulation.
Centres Marco Ferrazzano and Adam Horsfall were competitive and forceful, Lucan Uren worked tirelessly and Price regularly found his range with some effective kicking.
A elusive run by Horsfall should have brought a try as the backs showed a semblance of the form displayed so often last season. Sadly, however, it did not last and careless play led to an interception and length of the field run to the line by Wootton. Keighley’s fervour and the threatened revival was extinguished.
A long distance try by Ray was quickly followed by a cross field move finished off in the corner by Wootton.
The anguish for Keighley continued, flanker Sam Boatwright picking up from a ruck and dashing unopposed to the line, before a final breakaway try by Wootton completed Keighley’s humiliation, Howson adding his 6th conversion out of 7 attempts