Albion Cats 28

Barrow

Keighley Albion Cats reached the semi finals of the National Challenge Cup for the very first time last Sunday with a scintillating victory over a strong Barrow side. Not only was this Keighley's finest performance of the season but also the first time they had ever beaten Barrow, a side brimming with Great Britain internationals.

Barrow's Great Britain loose forward Sally Milburn forced her way through Keighley's defence for a fine try. The conversion landed short but after only two minutes the Cats were four points down.

However Keighley then began to take command with skipper Laura Ackroyd leading from the front and resolute defence snuffing out any threat of Barrow increasing their lead. After a period of sustained pressure Ackroyd herself showed great strength to force her way over under the sticks and added the conversion so Keighley led 6-4.

On attack Keighley were causing Barrow some real problems and with Leanne Ludlam and Sarah Walsh making good yardage a further score was only a matter of time. It came from speedy centre Sarah Gatenby who accelerated away from 40 metres and rounded the defence to touch down under the sticks, with Ackroyd again adding on the extras Keighley now led 12-4.

The Cats continued to press and after further pressure Ackroyd again scored after running the ball on the last tackle. The conversion was missed but Keighley led 16-4 and were well on top.

However at this level a simple mistake can cost you dearly and with half time fast approaching the Cats defence went to sleep for a second and the Barrow stand off darted in from 20 metres and the Cumbrians were right back in the game at 16-10.

Keighley were in no mood to let the game slip and straight from the restart they carried the game to Barrow, camping in their half for the first 15 minutes. Inevitably the pressure told and it was Ackroyd who scored the try.

Barow pulled back to 20-14 but Keighley were not to be denied and a series of damaging drives by Julie Burgess opened the way for Tracy Lynch to put Keira Burns in for the final try. Ackroyd added the extras and then kicked a late penalty to put the game beyond Barrow and Keighley into the semis for the first time.

In what was a brilliant team performance Ackroyd just shaded the player of the match award from what could have been any of the other sixteen players. The dubious reward for reaching this stage of the competition is a home draw against all conquering Wakefield this Sunday but Keighley need not fear no one.