Keighley 28 North Ribblesdale 24

Within five minutes of the start Keighley’s lack of concentration was punished by a well taken try for N Ribb winger Simon Bolland, converted by outside half S. Moon. Stung into action Keighley produced some of their best rugby of the season. With forwards and backs working in unison North Ribb were forced to concede a series of penalties, two of which Alex Brown converted.

The pressure was maintained, second row Ian Buckley and prop Craig Spencer returning to the first team featured strongly in the forward surges into North Ribb territory. The Keighley back line playing a penalty advantage, crisply moved the ball wide to winger Sam Walker who scored in the corner, converted by Brown. There was an instant response from the visitors; fielding probably the best back line in the league they were always going to be a problem.

Some sloppy Keighley defence gave winger Dakin the chance to round his man and put a little chip kick infield which was gathered up by fullback S. Chapman, to score near the posts, converted by Moon. Just before half time Keighley spurned a series of penalty kicks in front of the posts, choosing instead to scrummage. However, their enterprise went unrewarded, the dogged North Ribb forwards managed to keep them out.

In the second half Keighley continued where they left off. They starved the opposition of possession, the Sugden Brothers Olly and Leigh continually drove the ball upfield well supported by wing forwards Tom Lowther and Dave Pullen. After a series of phases the ball found Alex Brown in space and a try under the posts, which he also converted.

A little later some excellent work from seventeen year old centre Ben Blackwell gave his centre partner Adam Horsfall the chance to break up field, only to knock on over the line. Within a matter of minutes he made up for his mistake, scoring wide out.

North Ribb managed to stay in the game with a penalty from outside half Moon. Keighley responded with another period of sustained pressure, the only reward for their hard work was a penalty for Brown. In the final minute of the match, North Ribb chasing a bonus point mounted a final attack which led to a try for centre Dan Watson, converted by Moon.