Keighley 16, Old Crossleyans 37

KEIGHLEY squandered two valuable league points through a lack lustre performance at Crossleyans.

Lacking three key forwards in Neil Marklew, Chris Weatherill and Mark Lister, they never generated sufficient power up front to overcome a workmanlike but ordinary home side, although the score did not in any way reflect the small difference between the two sides.

Keighley were, in fact, ahead midway through the second half but inexplicably conceded three late tries, two of which came in injury time. Up to this point Crossleyans had seldom looked like penetrating the Keighley defence.

After a determined start Keighley took the lead with a drop goal by stand-off John Harrison. Crossleyans replied however, with four penalty goals by young stand-off Richard Jowett as referee Gareth Dawkin ruthlessly penalised Keighley as they were tempted off side in the mauls.

On a heavy pitch both sides found handling and running difficult but Keighley showed the greater enterprise with full back Gary Davey, second row man Peter Southgate and flanker Simon Atkin all prominent with some strong running.

A penalty goal by Harrison, early in the second half, kept Keighley in touch.

Wingman Richard Emmott was in fine form showing exceptional pace and after he had been held just short of the line a well timed pass by Harrison again put the wingman clear. Full back Davey supported well for the scoring pass and Harrison's touchline conversion gave Keighley a slender lead.

Two further penalty goals by Jowett again edged the home side ahead, with Harrison clawing back three more points for Keighley with a well struck penalty goal.

The game was evenly balanced as it entered the last quarter. Keighley's back continued to threaten, with centre Kevin Young making good progress, until a break by centre Tony Waite put Jowett in the clear and he sailed through for a try which he also converted, thereby assembling, to that point, a personal tally of 25 points.

The home side, for the first time, sensed that victory was theirs for the taking and urged on by their vociferous supporters added two late tries, firstly when centre Neil Lamb supplied the scoring pass for Tony Waite with Jowett adding the conversion and then well into injury time when hooker Jeremy Stott barged over from close range. Jowett's conversion hit the post.

His miss was the only error in an otherwise immaculate performance by the 19-year-old. Keighley were left to lick their wounds and to contemplate why, for the second week running, they let a potentially match winning lead slip away.

n Keighley's Under-11's travelled to Calderdale playing their first full gave in six weeks.

Taking the field against some very big Lancashire lads Keighley soon got into the game producing some excellent rugby to draw the first two games 14-14. They then won the second game 7-0.

Scorers were Chris Coyle, Robert Curtin, Oliver Robinson and Tom Bleasdale converted them all.

n The Under-11's, Under-12's and Under-15's had earlier travelled to Leicester for a weekend of rugby. The Keighley Under-12's beat Leicester Vipers with the Under-11's and Under-15's going down to strong home sides.

The 74-strong party then went to Weldford Road to watch the Tigers play their game with the younger members of the squad forming a guard of honour as the Leicester team and London Scottish took the field.

After the match the Keighley party were able to meet the players, including Dean Richards, who has become a good friend to the Keighley club.

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