Ripon 9 Keighley 12

Keighley started well with some promising attacks. However, when Ripon gained possession in their own twenty two, instead of kicking it they ran it, to great effect. Setting their stall out Ripon were totally committed to attack with ball in hand, retaining possession at the majority of breakdowns they dominated play throughout the half. Although it was good to watch, their efforts were absorbed by Keighley’s well organised defence. At the half time, all Ripon had to show for their efforts were two penalties from winger Tom Leeming.

At the start of the second half Keighley’s forwards managed a period of control, some powerful drives from Sam Booker, Leigh Sugden and captain Will Armitage took a lot of stopping. Eventually from a line out on the Ripon five metre line number eight Josh Hannah was driven over the try line, converted by outside half Alex Brown. Ripon raised their game and spent extended periods of time in the Keighley half, when Keighley did manage to gain possession they were pressured into kicking down field, which led to further counter attacks from the lively Ripon back division. Their enterprising play took them close to scoring on a number of occasions, but the visitors defence proved too strong. Under pressure Keighley conceded two yellow cards and a series of penalties, one of which Leeming converted. With time running out a final desperate move initiated by the forwards drove play up field. Wing forward Tom Lowther capped an excellent performance with a well taken try after some powerful support work from the pack. From the resulting restart the Keighley forwards kept control of the ball until the final whistle. In many respects Keighley were lucky, Ripon deserved more than their losing bonus point.