His darting runs backed up by excellent forward play gave Keighley quality possession which they put to good use, testing the opposition defence to its limits.
After weathering sustained Keighley pressure Sheffield managed to take play into the Keighley twenty two metre area, where hooker and Captain Carl Mortimer scrabbled over for a dubious try.
Returning to the attack, Keighley with outside half Alex Brown and old boy Danny Price in fine form took play deep into opposition territory, after a series of forward drives number six Smith Brown broke through to score, Alex Brown landed the conversion. As the half time whistle approached a penalty for offside gave Sheffield’s outside half M. Ireland the opportunity to regain the lead.
In the second half Sheffield upped their work rate and the pressure eventually told leading to a further penalty for Ireland. Although Keighley battled hard they were unable to break down a stubborn defence.
Sheffield working hard were finding it dificult to make inroads in mid field, as a consequence they changed their tactics, choosing to kick deep into the corners and pressure defenders. The tactic worked well, at a Keighley line out on their own five five metre line there was a breakdown in communication which led to the ball being thrown to the middle of the line and into the grateful hands of Sheffield’s Chris Dale who strolled unopposed over the try line. Using their Kicking game to full advantage Sheffield were able to force Keighley back into their half, after gaining possession and using the forwards to drive the ball forward second row D. O’Brian squeezed over for a well worked try, converted by Ireland.
Keighley with nothing to lose opened the game up with some excellent handling from both forwards and backs, eventually supporting full back Danny McGee latched onto a well timed pass to cross the try line, converted by Brown.
In the final minutes Keighley continually pressured the Sheffield line hoping to gain a losing bonus point, but their efforts went unrewarded.
This Saturday Keighley are away to neighbours Old Crossleyans.