The game started badly for Keighley, within three minutes Malton’s centre Ryan Lonsdale broke free down the left, although tackled by full back Harry Titley he was able to slip the ball to fellow centre Ian Cooke who crossed in the corner, winger Ali Heard landed the conversion.
Keighley quickly overcame their disappointment, a powerful scrum deep in the opposition territory followed by a series of rucks gave prop Slim Sinfield with second row Bob Clarke in support the chance to drive over the line, Alex Brown added the conversion. Although Keighley slowly began to dominate the forward exchanges Malton’s big centre Ryan Lonsdale was causing a great deal of damage in midfield, taking the ball on the halfway he brushed at least three defenders off to score, Heard kicked the extras.
Keighley responded with a half break by centre Ben Blackwell and a well taken try from winger Adam Sutcliffe. With the Keighley forwards well on top the Malton pack began to crumble, twice the ball was driven over the line, yet there was no clear grounding. In the end a scrum on the five metre line was driven over captain and number eight Leigh Sugden touching down, convert by Brown.
From the restart Keighley with all forwards in fine form were able to maintain the pressure, keeping Malton pinned in their twenty two. A stolen line out and a well executed driving maul gave Sugden his second try.
In the second half Keighley started badly. Malton’s most effective strike weapon powerful centre Ryan Lonsdale punished a sloppy defence to level the score with two well taken tries. After this setback Keighley regained control, David Iliff secured excellent line out ball and the play was driven to the line, some defence absorbing rucks gave Leigh Sugden the chance to burrow his way over to score, Brown converting.
Malton raised their game but needed to work hard to gain significant territory. Eventually they found touch on the Keighley twenty two, a mishandled ball in the lineout gave them the opportunity they needed, they drove purposefully at the Keighley line, the ball found its way into the hands of wing forward Ali Coe who was able to cross wide out.
With time running out and two points between the teams, the Keighley forwards well orchestrated by half backs McGee and Brown regained the momentum. Taking play into the Malton five metre area they set up a series of well controlled rucks, the defence was eventually worn down and Prop Craig Spencer was driven over, Brown added the difficult conversion to finish what was probably one of the best Keighley performances of the season.