Keighley 20

Yarnbury 8

Keighley produced their best form of the season in beating a workmanlike Yarnbury side.

The return of Danny Horne added steel both in attack and defence and the weight and power of prop Paul Sinfield, back after a two week absence, contributed significantly to Keighley's forward advantage. Essentially, however, it was an all round team performance and whilst unforced errors occasionally frustrated their endeavours, there was plenty to applaud.

In a lively opening Yarnbury were the first to threaten, but Keighley's keen defence restricted them to a penalty goal by scrum half Steve Galbraith after five minutes of play. Gradually the visitors' enthusiasm ebbed away and on 20 minutes Johnny Harrison tied the scores with a penalty following an obstruction at a line out.

Full back Matthew Cox and wingman Asa Firth combined well in a high speed move, but a blind side break and kick ahead almost brought a try for Yarnbury, the lively Galbraith's touchdown being overruled by referee Kevin Crawshow for an illegal challenge by wingman John Bramham.

Keighley generally held the initiative as both sides found progress difficult in the face of solid tackling, and they edged in front when No8 Peter Schofield's quickly taken tapped penalty allowed scrum half Scott Amos to feed Horne who strode out in style for the first try.

Forwards Stewart Inman, Andy Bennett and Paul Sinfield were prominent as Keighley sought to increase their lead and their efforts were rewarded when Sinfield and Rob Clarke instigated a fluent move by the backs which led to Cox weaving his way to the line for an excellent converted try.

Winger Chris Watts was soon in action with a determined touchline dash as the second half began and Sinfield was again to the fore with a barging 20-metre burst. I was, however, Yarnbury who next came closest to scoring when they battered at the Keighley line for several minutes until the siege was lifted by a breakaway from centre Nigel Curr. He would have scored at the other end of the field but for some magnificent cover defence.

As Keighley appeared to be easing to victory their complacency was shattered by a Yarnbury try by centre Ben Horner after Galbraith's tapped penalty caught the Utley men out of position. The prospect of another defeat snatched from victory briefly haunted the home side, but they responded in the best possible way, forcing a five metre lineout from which the impressive Leigh Sugden charged over from a set piece for the try which closed the door on Yarnbury's aspirations.

For Saturday's visit to South Yorkshire side Dinnington, Adam Balderstone is at stand-off for the unavailable Johnny Harrison with Matt Gaffney and Michael Feather in an otherwise unchanged side.

Yarnbury 2nd XV 22

Keighley 2nd XV 24

Keighley struggled to overcome a resolute Yarnbury side, but in the end the fitness of the Keighley side gave them a well earned victory.

Keighley held a slender lead at half time with tries from Hannah and Sugden with one conversion by Cavender to one converted try by Yarnbury.

Yarnbury soon took the lead in the second half with a penalty goal and a converted try. Keighley hit back when Hannah carved his way through the opposition's defence to feed Gaffney who crossed for the try of the match which Cavender converted. A quickly taken penalty caught Keighley and handed the lead back to Yarnbury.

With time running out, and down to 14 men, as mid-way through the last forty Tillotson had to leave the field with concussion, Keighley started to turn the screw. Eventually the ageless Duffy crashed over from three yards out to give Keighley the winning score. 0

n Keighley 3rd XV played an experienced Yarnbury side who were used to winning, but an 18-13 victory was earned by a Keighley team well captain by veteran Simon Atkins.

The captain plodded through the 80 minutes keeping control of the beat. Early pressure saw Hobbit-like centre, Matt Horne, score the first try. Rob Wilkinson played above his years and is sure to make the higher echelons of the game.

Mick Philips scored the first of his two tries thanks to the tireless effort of a pack of forwads in which every man played his part.

Yarnbury eventually twice broke through a resolute defence to set up a clff hanger finish and their frustration was taken out on Nick Wright who received numerous punches without reply.

A complete team effort, including 44-year-old Loz Marklew who came out of retirement, earned the honours.