Ilkley 42 Keighley 5 - There were ominous signs from the start of this derby game at Ilkley when a Keighley player knocked on straight from kick off. Thereafter things got steadily worse.

There was a distinct air of lethargy throughout the Keighley ranks, whilst the Ilkley side was always ambitious and spirited, showing a far greater appetite for the occasion.

The early loss through injury of forward Leigh Sugden and centre Phil Hannah certainly upset Keighley's rhythm and by half time Ilkley had built up a 22-point lead. Tries were scored by second row forward Ian Moffatt, wingman Shaun Gilbert and centre Simon Smith, with two conversions and a penalty goal by stand off Anthony Cadman, putting the game effectively beyond Keighley's grasp.

A try by centre Mark Beckett early in the second half briefly hinted at a Keighley revival, but it was a false dawn. A Cadman penalty goal was followed by a well-worked try for Ilkley by Cadman and then by a close range effort by forward Hutchinson. The humiliation was completed when Cadman capped an all round accomplished performance with a fine solo try to which he added the conversion. It was his influence on the game more than anything that had contributed most to Keighley's downfall.

It is hard to explain Keighley's alarming loss of form in recent weeks. The absence of Asa Firth, Nigel Curr and Scott Amos in the backs has certainly been a significant factor, but too many players are simply not achieving their potential. The malaise has become infectious to those around them. It is to be hoped that the return to the club of the prodigal Morgan Bailey from Morley and the restored fitness of Nigel Curr will prompt a quick return to the form showed at the start of the season. It is inconceivable that a good side can become a poor side in such a brief period of time, and wit is up to the senior players to set the example by re-igniting the spark that is presently lacking!

For Saturday's home game against Bridlington Matthew Cox moves to full back and Kevin Young is at centre. Scott Amos returns at scrum half and Morgan Bailey and Mark Lister make up the back row with Andy Bennett.

Keighley 2nds 21

Ilkley 2nds 16

Rob Wilkinson edged Keighley ahead with an early penalty in a battle of two closely matched teams.

Morgan Bailey returned for his first game of the season and caused problems for Ilkley around the scrum but despite the pressure Ilkley were next to score when they reached over in the corner. Experience took over and Kevin Young put in long kicks chased by Chris Watts and Gill.

Back row men Bailey and Lister put in some bone crunching tackles and Wilkinson slipped a one-handed pass to Nigel Curr who slipped over for a try. Although Wilkinson missed the conversion he soon made amends with a penalty kick just before half time.

From the start of the second half Keighley kept the pressure on Ilkley and Curr glided through for his second try. Wilkinson added the extra points.

Curr was in the frame again when he burst through and opened the way for Warren Knowles, but his pass to Ryan Gill was intercepted. Ilkley started to creep nearer Keighley's score with two penalty goals and some slack defending allowed the left winger to score in the corner.

Now only two points behind Ilkley seemed to be going for the kill, but Keighley rallied, and with time slipping away Wilkinson took his time with a penalty kick to help Keighley earn victory.