Keighley 16 Heath 26

Heath opened the scoring with a penalty from outside half Ezra Hinchliffe, closely followed by a penalty from Keighley’s Alex Brown. Although Heath dominated the scrums, and had a good back line the defence from both teams were the dominant factors.

Heath with some good work from their clever outside half Hinchliffe were well balanced either attacking through the forwards or moving the ball wide. Keighley apart from the scrums held their own and the bulldozing runs down the middle from Marco Ferrazanno and some excellent play from winger Sam Walker caused the visitors defence some difficulties.

After a period of Keighley pressure Heath regained the lead with a further penalty from Hinchliffe, who also scored a well taken try that he also converted. Just before half time Keighley gained some rewards from their efforts with a penalty from Alex Brown.

The second half started well for Keighley, an early penalty kick rebounded off the upright, winger Sam Walker chasing the kick like all good wingers should gathered and attacked the try line, he found support and a try for wing forward Tom Lowther, Alex Brown landed the conversion to level the score.

Heath responded with a penalty from Hinchliffe. There followed a period of sustained Keighley pressure, and nearly a try for Walker who was narrowly beaten to a kick and chase. Alex Brown managed to break the deadlock, and level the scores with a penalty. Eventually Heath through sterling work from their forwards regained the lead with a further penalty from Hinchliffe.

In the late stages of the game some errors of judgement from Keighley defenders gave Heath good field position, a series of drives from the Heath forwards took play to the try line, although the defence countered the rucks the Heath forwards patience and good technique were rewarded when excellent number eight Ian Downsborough squeezed over to score. Hinchliffe added to his impressive tally with a well struck conversion.

Although Keighley were second best this was a much more spirited cohesive performance than the previous week, and had they maintained their discipline could easily have taken the points.

This Saturday an away game to near neighbours Ilkley.