Keighley 12 Malton & Norton 13

In the first half Keighley started briskly taking play deep into Malton territory. The pressure brought a result, Malton conceded a penalty near the posts. Forgoing the easy three points Keighley chose to tap and go, unfortunately their enterprise came to nothing.

Maintaining the pressure through some direct back play with good support from their forwards they eventually earned a further penalty. Although the kick was more difficult than the first they had the good sense to give it to Ben Blackwell who converted with ease.

Malton absorbing the pressure slowly regained their confidence and were much smarter than Keighley in thought and deed, spending the majority of the half dominating territory and possession. Although Keighley battled hard and defended well without their injured captain Leigh Sugden at the helm they at times looked very disjointed, allowing the Malton forwards to control the exchanges.

Keighley’s line was put under extended siege, and eventually a ragged Malton driving maul was deemed to have been pulled down, which resulted in a debatable penalty try for the visitors, and an easy conversion for outside half Ramsey.

In the second half Keighley looked a different team, the forwards driven on by pack leader Scott Dyson and prop Craig Spencer were more direct and purposeful, which allowed the backs to mount a series of attacks through big centre Ben Blackwell and wingers Hill and Titley. Malton had difficulty coping and were forced to cough up two penalties which Blackwell converted.

Malton attempting to force their way back into the game caught Keighley offside and a further three points for Ramsey. With ten minutes left and one point the difference Keighley pressured again, some determined forward play gave outside half Alex Brown the time and space to land a dropped goal. Keighley having controlled much of the half easily contained a number of final desperate Malton attacks.

With literally seconds remaining a Keighley handling error gave Malton a scrum, after a series of rucks near the try line full back Ian Cooke put himself in the pocket and landed a neat drop goal to snatch the winning league points, leaving Keighley to rue their wasted opportunities.