Keighley 10 Sheffield Tigers 26 - Keighley's season came to an end with their defeat in the semi final of the Yorkshire Shield. For 30 minutes they flattered to deceive, building up a fully deserved lead of 10 points with a display of aggressive and creative rugby which had the visitors reeling, before the experience and class of the Sheffield side prevailed.

During Keighley's early superiority the Tigers seldom set foot in the Keighley half and conceded a penalty goal, converted by stand off Johnny Harrison after 6 minutes play, when their mid-field backs strayed offside following a ruck in front of the posts, set up a strong run by Keighley wingman Nigel Curr.

Five minutes later the lead was increased with a try of the highest order by Mark Beckett, converted by Harrison. It was as fine a score as any have seen at Utley this season, the wingman's angled run onto a well flighted pass by Harrison taking him over under the posts after good work by second row forward Richard Leach following a line out 25 metres out.

Beckett was soon in action again with a penetrating touchline dash and Curr and centre Tim Marlow were regularly probing the defence as Keighley's forwards continued to secure good possession both in the set pieces and the loose play.

Gradually however, the Tigers began to show their claws. Bulky second row man Shaw made good ground down the middle and for almost the first time Keighley were forced to defend their line, finally conceding three crucial tries in a 10 minute spell before half time. Wingman Wayne Warren was the first to cross, exploiting a clear overlap from a scrum 5 metres out, before Doug Trivella profited from a neat off load by fellow centre John Storey to power over from 40 metres. Keighley were suddenly in disarray and a rare missed tackle allowed Storey to burst to the line, leaving stand off Eugene Martin with his second easy conversion.

Trailing by 19 points to 10 the Utley men faced a real test in the second half. Tigers continued to look the strongest side as Keighley tired visibly. The home forwards were however never subdued, none working harder than youngster Rob Clarke in the second row. He was unflinching in the face of the physically stronger opposition and was well supported by Leigh Sugden and Andy Bennett.

Keighley's supply of possession gradually dried up and the visitors' superiority, particularly in the centre, began to take its toll. Trivella's and Storey's experience at a much higher level was all too apparent, whilst the influence of Canadian International Mike Schmid and prop Harry Toews was increasingly significant. Nonetheless, Keighley continued to contest, their pack earning the plaudits of the crowd with several driving mauls taking play close to the Tigers line. A yellow card, harshly shown by referee Chris Sharp to flanker Morgan Bailey for dissent, added to Keighley's problems and during his absence flanker Ian Cutts crossed for the fourth try from a curving 30 metre run with Martin converting.

There was disappointment all round for the Keighley side and for Tim Brunskill in his last match as coach before handing over the reigns to Keighley legend Jeff Inman, but there was no denying that they had ultimately been beaten by the better side.