New Earswick All Blacks16

Keighley Albion 10

Albion threw away another glorious chance to kick-start their National Conference campaign when basic mistakes were severly punished.

They have come close to winning several games in their inaugural season in the league, only to let themselves down late in the game. This time they threw away a hard fought 10-0 lead.

The Keighley side looked much the better outfit for the first 40 minutes. Tommy Haughey races 50m within minutes of the start only to be brought down short of the line. Winger Rob Haughey also caused the home defence problems with some elusive running.

Albion's backs got on top of the All Blacks forwards with Alex Caine, Ian Spencer and Dean Brooks leading the tackling. Paulsinfield marked his Conference debut, coming on from the bench to make a big impression with his strong running.

The big prop paved the way for Albion's first try with a typical drive for the line, pulling in several defenders. A quick play-the-ball saw Gary Boocock storm onto the ball and crash his way over for a well deserved try, Mark Ives converting to give Albion a 6-0 interval lead.

They could not have wished for a better start to the second half when Craig Livock put John Williams over. The York side came back with a converted touchdown as Albion began to struggle to maintain their rhythm and control the ball.

Two mistakes saw albion turn over possession in their own 22, the All Blacks quickly pounced to take full advantage and steal the game from Albion's grasp.

Tomorrow (Saturday) they travel to Hull to take on high flying Ibeal Isberg.

Worth Village 8

Park Amateurs 26

Village turned in a fighting display against hte Premier League's top team.

From the kick off Village went on the attack against the much heavier pack. Steve Boocock led the way well supported by Jimmy Shaw.

Veteran captain Billy Davey urged his young side on, but it was a relieved Park side which took the lead with an opportunist try which came from a kick through by their impressive full back, to take a 6-0 lead at the break.

Village came out looking for glory and scored a try under the posts after hard work from Ryan Wilkie, Rocky McNulty and Jimmy Shaw who set up the chance for Boocock to score. McNulty tagged on the goal and also landed a penalty as Park tried to use strong arm tactics to stop the Village side.

They secured two dubious tries, but Village refused to give in and earned the respect of a powerful Park side.

With seven players aged from 17 to 21 in the Keighley side coach Martin Plunkett was impressed with the spirit and committment of his young side.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Village are at home to Undercliffe, ko 2pm, Marley.

Silsden Park Rangers 24 Stainland Stags 16

Silsden Park Rangers moved into joint second place in Division Three, despite producing a Jekyll and Hide performance against lowly Stainland Stags. A sparkling first 40minutes saw Rangers ease into a 20-0 lead, but they fell away badly in the second period allowing Stainland back into it at 20-16, until Man of the Match Jim Owens jinked his way through to seal victory in the dying minutes.

Having only played once in the previous six weeks, Silsden quickly shrugged off any rustiness. Hooker Dave Arnold broke from dummy-half to release Jim Coldwell, and the big prop showed nifty handling skills to send Neil Jordan powering over. Great work by Owens almost resulted in the outstanding Coldwell scoring moments later, before Arnold supported a Jordan burst to race in from 40 yards.

The Cobbydalers continued to dominate and Jordan linked up with Pat Illingworth to put live wire scrum half Andy Bowness in, and then a sweeping 90-yard raid led to their fourth try. Eddie Billing made good ground from his own try line, and when Arnold and Jordan took over they paved the way for Rob Leighton to finish strongly from 30 yards. Mark Adams landed his second conversion to give Silsden a 20-point intervallead.

But Rangers lost their way completely after the break, and their Halifax-based visitors ran in three tries to pull back to 20-16. Even then, only big tackling stints from Arnold and Dave Webster and some tremendous cover defence by Owens, prevented Silsden falling behind. And then faultless full back Owens crowned a memorable personal performance, when he joined the line to round off neat play from Adams and impressive sub Mark Kent, and wrap up the points.

Rangers are in Pennine Cup action tomorrow (Saturday), when they entertain Premier League Undercliffe (kick off 2pm).

Keighley Celtic 4

Victoria Rangers 4

Celtic got off to a poor start in this mid-table battle as they allowed Rangers to throw the ball around and immediately take control of the game.

Failure to move up on defence saw Rangers score out wide within the first 10 minutes, giving the visitors a big confidence boost. The forced a massive defensive stint from the Keighley side as they camped in their 20 metre area.

Slick running Celtic half-backs Scott and Kennedy turned defence into attack as they set a platform for forwards Ingham, Stott and Barlow to work a set move for Ingham to crash over and level the score.

The secondhalf saw both defences on top, shutting down any openings quickly. man of the match, Kennedy, ws unlucky with two attempted field goals, one looked to have scraped over and the other bounced off the crossbar, preventing Celtic from taking two points.

Keighley Celtic A 6

Sowerby Bridge A 34

Celtic's second team had only 10 men, but put up a brave performance before Sowerby Robins made their numerical advantage tell.

Walsh had another excellent game earning the man of the match award as he fights his way back to fitness. Chew scored for Celtic and Bibby was again on target with the conversion.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.