Keighley 13 – Wheatley Hills 17

Back in September they had conceded 47 points in a heavy defeat on the visitor’s ground, but on Saturday they built up a half time lead of 13 points to nil with a confident, aggressive and often skilful performance which should have heralded victory against the second placed side.

An early penalty goal miss by Alex Brown failed to dent Keighley’s enthusiasm, as they rocked the visitors with some powerful forward play spearheaded by Scott Dyson and a successful penalty goal by Brown after 15 minutes play was just reward for their all round superiority.

It was a full 20 minutes before Wheatley Hills launched a meaningful attack but firm tackling by centres Ben Blackwell and Marco Ferrazzano eliminated the threat. Keighley struck back with a strong run by Dyson which led to Blackwell being held at the line and as the forwards maintained pressure Leigh Sugden came close to scoring.

Finally the pressure was rewarded when second row Bob Clarke forced his way over for a rare but much deserved try. More creative play by Keighley enabled them to maintain the initiative even though they were guilty at times of failing to exploit potential overlaps.

A strong burst by the evergreen Paul Sinfield set up another attack. Dyson injected pace and full back Harry Titley squeezed in at the corner for a fine try.

The visitors began the second half in more determined fashion, quickly establishing a foothold close to the home line. For several minutes Keighley’s forwards defended heroically but finally the siege was broken when prop O’Donovan barged over with full back Woodcock converting.

Suddenly Keighley’s lead looked vulnerable. Wheatley Hill sensed victory and with a monopoly of possession and prompted by some elusive running by their backs they regularly tested the Keighley defence.

With wily ex England scrum half Dave Scully masterminding the tactics, play was largely concentrated in the Keighley half. The loss of hooker Will Armitage to the sin bin was a bridge too far for the resolute Keighley pack which understandable began to tire, allowing the visitors to mount a sweeping attack culminating in ex Doncaster prop Tau crashing over, Woodcock’s conversion giving Wheatley Hills the lead.

There was no way back for Keighley. Tiredness led to the concession of frequent penalty awards which prevented them from establishing any sort of attacking base in the visitor’s half.

It was left to the visitors to tighten the screw with a last minute penalty by Woodcock.