Darlington 31 Keighley 36

Keighley started well, putting the Darlington defence under pressure. In the end, a neat break and a dummy from scrum half Danny Lester gave Keighley an early lead, Ben Blackwell added the conversion. Darlington response was a predictable drive up the middle using the power of their forwards to great effect. Gaining a penalty they kicked to the corner, after securing the line out ball they drove over the line to score.

Keighley forced to play a more expansive game were awarded a tap penalty in the opposition half. Danny Lester took it quickly and found captain Leigh Sugden on his shoulder, after demolishing at last three defenders he forced his way over the try line, Blackwell added the conversion. Keighley with the half time whistle approaching gave Darlington the opportunity to drive the ball deep into their territory. In a carbon copy of their first try they again kicked to the corner, dominated the line out and steamrollered their way over, converted by outside half Mark Baldwin.

The half time instructions to the Keighley team were predictable, move the ball around, away from the Darlington’s juggernauts. However, in the early stages of the second half their possession was restricted which gave Darlington the opportunity to mount a series of attacks, some fine play down they wing gave big winger Mack Fell the chance to cut inside and score, converted by Baldwin.

Keighley’s Ben Blackwell closed the score gap with a well struck penalty. Keighley eventually gained parity, which gave outstanding outside half Danny McGee in the chance to control the game. Running the ball out of defence he made a half break before feeding winger Luke Carter who used his pace to out run the defence to score, converted by Blackwell. A few minutes later McGee once again opened up the defence before passing to supporting full back Adam Sutcliffe. Drawing the defence he set winger Carter on his way for his second try.

Keighley relaxed, Darlington raised their game. Predictably they had the opportunity to put the ball into touch near the corner, Keighley under pressure managed to stem the flow. However, the referee awarded Darlington a penalty and warned the Keighley forwards for illegally stopping the maul. A little later Keighley’s Bob Clarke was yellow carded for repeating the infringement, which gave Darlington the chance to gather possession and drive their way over.

A little later Darlington took the lead when their speedy Fijian centre Louis Cavalelu crossed under the posts, converted by Baldwin. With time slipping away, Keighley snatched the victory when winger Carter chased a neat kick from Danny McGee to score his third try. Ben Blackwell finished the game with the conversion.

This Saturday Keighley face free scoring Northern at home.