Keighley 20 Pontefract 18

Keighley thought they had broken the deadlock when Leigh Sugden crossed wide out. Unfortunately for them the referee was unsighted. Encouraged by Sugden’s efforts the Keighley forwards put together a number of phases that gave scrum half Ian Woodwiss the time and space to cleverly slip the ball to big centre Marco Ferrazzano who crossed near the posts, Alex Brown added the conversion. A matter of minutes later the Pontefract forwards broke into Keighley territory and their efforts were rewarded with a well taken try from live wire scrum half Craig Fawcett, converted by Andy Dean.

Keighley responded with some forward drives and clever interplay orchestrated by outside half Danny McGee, eventually the ball found full back Alex Brown in support who weaved his way through defenders to score under the posts, he added the conversion. Continued pressure led to a further penalty from Brown. Pontefract finished the half with a penalty from Andy Dean.

At the start of the second half Keighley struggled to gain possession and were feeling the strain of concerted Pontefract attacks which led eventually to a penalty for Andy Dean.

Keighley looking decidedly shaky at this stage lacked cohesion and put themselves under pressure with poor first up defence. Pontefract took advantage of the situation, some good interplay gave Craig Fawcett the chance to run at the defence, skipping through a poor attempt at a tackle he gained his second try.

With one point the difference Keighley rallied, a fine run down the middle by wing forward Sean Minikin and a lovely pass split the Ponty defence, the referee to the chagrin of the spectators adjudged the pass to be forward. However, Keighley’s new found confidence and shear hard work gained good field position, and a penalty.

Although Brown struck the ball well, it hit the upright, with no one following up the opportunity was wasted. After a good break down the left, centre Ben Blackwell crossed wide out, unfortunately once again the referee disallowed the try.

With time running out Keighley were awarded a long distance penalty. Blackwell with his greater kicking range took the kick, it fell short onto the cross bar and bounced into the hands of Alex Brown who had the sense to chase the kick. Although Brown was held up Pontefract were deemed to be off side which gave Ben Blackwell a penalty in front of the posts to finish the game.

This Saturday Keighley are away to York.