As north ribblesdale had a lack of props, the game was played with uncontested scrums which certainly worked in ribbs favour as Keighley’s large pack were unable to boss this particular part of the game.

The game started brightly with Hugh Peterken opening the scoring after 5 minutes with a clever try finished under the sticks. Jordan Powell obliged with the extras making the score 7-0.

For the next 25 minutes Ribblesdale looked like the better drilled team in both attack and defence, and only kept at bay by some last ditch defending ( Peter Taylor yet again putting in a great defensive shift during this period).

During this Keighley suffered blows with injuries to Martin Curr ( hamstring) and Joe Emmott. On 30 minutes Ribblesdale opened their account with a well worked try with the ball going through several pairs of hands. The missed conversion made the score 7-5

The game then became scrappy and largely uneventful except for a further injury to Henry Pratt and a brief bout of fisticuffs, including Danny Baines being used as a human punchbag. A Jordan Powell penalty brought the half to a close at 10-5.

The second half sprang to life on 50 minutes when half time substitution Tinashe Vambe finished a superb Danny Baines break. Jordan Powell obliged with a great conversation to take the score to 17-5.

On 60 mins Powell, having his best game in a Keighley shirt collected his own chip over the defence to score, which he duly converted himself to make the score 24-5.

By now the introduction of Paul “Slim” Sinfield added much needed direction and aggression to the pack, who were now directing things in the middle of the park. The 4th quarter was largely a scrappy affair but the final result never seemed in any danger, which was confirmed in almost the last play of the game when Nathan Berry crashed over at the side of the sticks… conversion kicked by man of the match Jordan Powell.. game over… final score 31-5.

4 wins from 4 for the Academy now… And as Richard Lloyd infamously said “Winners are Grinners” WELL DONE LADS

Report by Andy Stell