KEIGHLEY 22 - OLD RISHWORTHIANS 3

Keighley’s good form continued as they notched up their fourth win in five outings since the New Year. It was seldom pretty, with the two packs struggling for dominance on a heavy pitch, but once the home forwards took control in the second half the result was never in doubt.

An early penalty goal miss by full back Alex Brown was a set-back for Keighley and a sharp break by the same player might have brought a try if his pass had found wingman Luke Carter. It was, however, the visitors who drew first blood when full back Joe Billing converted a penalty award after 15 minutes of play.

The loss of Rob Wilkinson with a ham string problem caused Keighley to re-arrange their back division, and after a strong run by prop Davis Smith, Brown in his more accustomed position of stand off, began to force Rishworthians onto the defence with some accurate kicking to the visitors 22 metre area.

A series of 5 metre lineouts was bravely defended before Leigh Sugden finally barged over for a try, converted by Brown, to give Keighley a half time lead.

The second half saw Keighley’s forwards increasingly on top as their superior fitness and technique began to count. The front row of Craig Spencer, Will Armitage and Sam Booker was particularly impressive both in the set pieces and in open play, with Booker specially catching the eye with some barging bursts.

Former Cougar Andy Shickell was the pick of the visiting pack whilst centre Hunt-Brown’s strength caused a few problems to the generally sound Keighley midfield defence.

On the whole, however, Rishworthians posed few threats to the Keighley line, whereas the home forwards battered away for long periods at the opposite end With scrum half David Needham working well behind a rampant pack he was able to feed a try scoring pass to Brown who also added the conversion.

A Brown penalty extended the lead before Craig Spencer showed a remarkable turn of speed from the front of a line out to touch down in the corner.

Keighley desperately struggled to find a fourth try and a bonus point, but time was against them. The victory however, edges them another step up the league into 6th place with a top four position a distinct possibility by the end of the season.