Keighley 12

Malton & Norton 14

Keighley's impressive season, which saw them secure 21 victories and suffer only 10 defeats, came to a disappointing end on Saturday with a narrow defeat by Malton & Norton in the semi-final of the Yorkshire Shield.

It was a close affair as Keighley's depleted side mounting a spirited late challenge which brought them close to overcoming the visitors' early 14-point lead.

The Utley men were keen to avenge two league defeats at the hands of the league champions this season, and opened with style and aggression. Their early enterprise was, however, hampered by a series of adverse decisions by referee Dave Slawson, allowing the initiative to be claimed by the visitors, whose place kicker Ian Cooke was off target with two penalty goal attempts.

It was, however, Keighley who earned the clearest try scoring chances. Firstly when wingman Matthew Cox's potential try scoring pass, following a searing break, was judged to be forward, and secondly when No.8 Paul Salmon's storming run for the line was only halted by a brave tackle from full back Simpson.

The game was, nonetheless, evenly balanced. Keighley's back row of Evan Griffin, Paul Salmon and Morgan Bailey harassed the opposition unmercifully, preventing their lively back division from engaging top gear, and scrum half Ian Woodwiss was prominent with some astute covering and quick thinking at the scrum.

Only once was Malton & Norton's influential James McKay allowed to break free, but it was enough to enable the visitors to take the early lead when the strong running No.8 made good ground before handing on to wingman Cooke who plunged over in the corner before adding the conversion.

A weaving run by centre Adam Balderstone soon put Keighley onto the attack after the break, and led to prop Paul Sinfield crossing the line only to be denied a try for a double movement after the tackle.

Malton & Norton quickly forced play to the Keighley 22 metre area from the re-start and a defensive error by Johnny Harrison set up a sharp attack by their backs from which centre Neil Gilbertson crossed for a good try with Cooke converting from the touchline.

Trailing by 14 points and after losing the services of Morgan Bailey with a shoulder injury, the writing seemed to be on the wall for Keighley. Mark Lister was however, an inspirational replacement, his strength and enthusiasm injecting new life into the pack. They forced a tapped penalty on the visitor's 22 metre line and after clever work by Johnny Harrison it was Lister who took the scoring pass to claim the first points.

A great run by Matthew Cox soon saw Keighley threatening the Malton & Norton line again, slick work by the backs following the breakdown bringing a well taken try for the hardworking John Hinchcliffe. Harrison's conversion reduced the arrears to two points but time was running out for Keighley. The visitors tactics of keeping play in the Keighley half from long touchfinders by stand off Webster, and good ball retention paid dividends.

Keighley were denied the opportunity to attack and a long distance pot at goal by Harrison from a penalty award was their only realistic chance to snatch victory. The kick drifted wide of the posts and the visitors' place in the final was secured after a game that neither side deserved to lose.

Huddersfield Under-15s 5

Keighley Under-15s 10

It was payback time for Keighley's under 15's against Huddersfield in the last Sunday game of the season.

The early kick off at Hud-dersfield along with the heat and shortened warm up caused a rusty start from the Keighley pack. The pace was electric but even on this dry hot day the ball went down a few too many times.

After 15 minutes the Keighley team, especially the forwards, started to dominate. Keighley's kicker, Anthony Geraghty thumped the ball down field and over the full back's head, as soon as he turned around he was met by two Keighley back rowers, Rob Stansfield and Will Tate. He crashed to the floor and saved a certain try by holding on to the ball illegally.

The referee gave the penalty and from the 22-metre line, An-thony confidently struck the ball over and Keighley led at half time. After constant second half pressure Sam Watkiss picked up from the back of a ruck and scored.

Huddersfield kept the game alive with another try, but an embarrassing conversion attempt left them needing another try and Keighley's victory and helped extinguish the pain of their Yorkshire Cup defeat.