Pontefract 19 Keighley 24

Against the run of play Pontefract were first on the scoreboard with a well taken try for outside half Chris Sant, who also added the conversion. Keighley playing with confidence hammered away at the Pontefract line. In the end their efforts were rewarded, when outside half Danny McGee arced through a stretched defence to cross between the posts, converted by Rob Wilkinson. At this stage of the game Keighley with their forwards in fine form at all phases of play were determined to launch the majority of attacks through midfield. Outside half McGee and centre Danny Price were able to draw the defence and release Marco Ferrazzano, who always seemed able to make valuable ground for his supporting forwards.

Eventually a Ferrazzano attack was driven on by the Keighley back row. With the defence in disarray Keighley’s centre Price was able to weave his way over the try line. Even though Keighley were beginning to dominate up front, the Pontefract backs were always dangerous. Just before half time Pontefract found some space out wide and winger Simon Spears rounded the defence with ease to score.

Early Keighley pressure in the second half was wasted when a forced midfield pass fell into the hands of experienced number eight Derek Eves, who quickly moved the ball wide for centre Mathew Bacon to score between the posts, converted by Simon Fletcher.

Chasing the lead Keighley played some sensible rugby through their lively forwards, driving the ball on in order to tie in the defence. With Pontefract under pressure in their own half, the ball was moved wide to winger Rob Wilkinson who beat the last tackler to score in the corner. Keighley with all their forwards playing their full part continued to pressure, on two occasions they crossed the line but the ball was adjudged to be held up. From one of the ensuing scrums, scrum half Lucas Uren evaded the back row to score, converted by McGee. With time rapidly running out Pontefract made a last ditched effort through an attack wide out, winger Spears took the last tackle and passed the ball inside with the try line begging, only for the support player to knock on.

Keighley after their lucky escape left nothing to chance, keeping the ball with their forwards until the final whistle. Without doubt this was the best Keighley performance for quite some time, the forwards through shear effort and determination ensured that a good Pontefract team were constantly pressured for the full eighty minutes.

At the end of the game it was not possible to decide on ‘the man of the match’ as a result the reward went to all the forwards.

This week Keighley hope to consolidate their new found form when they entertain Huddersfield YMCA at Rose Cottage. Kick off at the earlier time of 2.15pm