Keighley 32 York 7

After a dire performance against Bridlington, Keighley raised their game to a whole different level to demolish a strong York Team. From the whistle Keighley powered into defence, knocking York out of their stride and putting them under intense pressure. At the scrums York were driven backwards and what possession they got was hampered by the presence of the Keighley back row. In the end the shear physicality of the Keighley forwards kept York pinned in their twenty two. After a series of drives,a neat short ball from Alex Brown found Marco Ferrazzano in support, he crashed through the defence to score.

The visitors lifted their game and some neat handling got them into the Keighley half. However their attacking moves were broken up by some magnificent defence from Scott Dyson and the powerful centre pairing of Ferrezanno and Horsfall. With good possession from all phases of play Keighley's outside half Alex Brown was able to control the game, varying his play superbly he either put his backs into space, or used his eager forwards to take the ball up. Some good forward drives led by the Sugden brothers forced York back into the danger zone. Alex Brown who appeared to be at the centre of everything drew the defence and gave Scott Dyson the chance to use his strength and agility to break a covering tackle to reach out and score. Brown added the conversion.

Although they were under the cosh York persevered with their expansive game plan,a break out of defence by full back Dawes and a simple pass gave winger S. Arkle the opportunity to use his considerable pace, beating his opposite number with ease he raced in for an excellent individual try, converted by Dawes. With the half time whistle fast approaching Alex Brown steadied the Keighley Ship with a well struck penalty.

Within minutes of the restart Keighley were on the attack, Ferrazzano drove the ball up field, a York player was offside and a further three points for Brown. A few minutes later some excellent line out work from David Lister, and a drive up field gave Leigh Sugden a chance to pull in defenders and off load to hooker Will Armitage, making good ground he passed to Brown in support who gave an inch perfect pass to hard working second row Stuart Inman who crossed the line, converted by Brown.

Although York were winning decent possession it was always in their own half, forced to run the ball they were unable to break free from the Keighley defensive strangle hold, and ended up either in touch or forced to scrumage. Either way Keighley were dominating the exchanges, excellent work by the forwards once again forced play deep into York territory, Olly Sugden who was having his best game of the season continually made ground, and at one stage broke free with one defender to beat, unfortunately his pass out of the tackle went to ground, giving York the opportunity to scrabble the ball clear.

With time running out Alex Brown executed a training ground move, winger Micky Phillips came infield at pace, Brown delivered the ball and the defence was split, Scott Dyson in support crossed under the posts. Man of the match Alex Brown completed the scoring with a simple conversion. When Keighley are on form, they are as good as anyone in their league, however, consistancy is the name of the game.

Next Saturday they face another difficult challenge away to near neighbours North Ribblesdale.