Pride shines through

With both sides having already secured promotion, only pride was at stake in this clash between top of the table Mowden Park and second placed Keighley.

In the event the visitors' extra power in the forwards carried the day, but not before a valiant struggle by the Utley side.

They weathered a testing first 15 minutes before taking the play to Mowden Park and establishing a half-time lead of 13-5.

A try by John Hinchcliffe set Keighley on their way. Forward Darren Close won good line out ball on the visitors 22 metre line and quick possession from the ruck was fully exploited by the backs, creating an overlap for the wingman. An excellent conversion by John Harrison gave the side extra heart.

Centre Kevin Young's powerful break was halted close to the line as Keighley sought to extend the lead, but Mowden Park struck back when scrum half Barry Corbett took a quick tap penalty and was driven over by his forwards.

The visitors were handicapped by the loss of hooker David Davison with a knee injury and Keighley took full advantage with some spirited forward play which penned the Darlington side in its own half.

Two fine penalty goals by John Harrison were no greater reward than Keighley deserved.

Park's skipper and number eight John Hutchison was an increasing threat to Keighley as the game progressed and he was ably assisted by flankers Evans and Irwin. Their power in the loose gradually sapped Keighley's strength, although their backs and forwards continued to defend bravely - none more more so than centre Danny Mavro.

Tension hightened and Keighley's number eight Simon Atkin's yellow card for an alleged high tackle appeared to be more of a general warning to both packs.

Keighley clung to ther lead for 70 minutes before an all consuming attack by the visitors from a tap penalty ended in their powerful wing man Michael Kent crossing for a try.

A penalty goal by wingman Anthony Gardner then brought the scores level, with barely five minutes of normal time remaining.

A draw would have been a fair result but the visitors sensed victory, grabbing two more tries in the six minutes of added time allowed by East Midlands Society referee Geoff Wickens

The first came when full back McCallum fielded a speculative long clearance by John Harrison before launching a sweeping attack which ended with Gardner crossing in the corner.

Shortly afterwards the ever alert Corbett picked up from a scrum before darting past the flagging Keighley defence to the line. Kent's conversion was the final contribution to a score line which hardly reflected the gallant efforts of the Keighley side.

l Veterans and guests formed a Keighley 3rd XV which played Colne and Nelson Seconds at Utley. With players off for the Easter weekend and seven third team players in action with the second team, the side had an unfamiliar look.

Having said that, Keighley played fairly well. The forwards' ball retention created good groundwork for the backs who were unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions when only a dropped pass or a foot in touch kept Keighley out.

Just as it looked as if it was going to be a scoreless first half, Keighley's Andy Emmott broke to score a try out wide, with Matt Gaffney being unable to kick the conversion, it made the score 5-0 to Keighley.

Colne and Nelson scored first in the second half to draw level. Considering it was windy, wet, and very cold both sides were doing their best to run the ball, probably more to keep warm than entertain.

With 20 minutes to go Keighley extended their lead to 10-5 through Sid Brunhope who ran from 15 yards out to score, carrying two Colne and Nelson players with him. Colne and Nelson ensured Keighley had to fight all the way to the end especially when they kicked a penalty with ten minutes to go. Keighley had defended well all afternoon and were able to hold out for a 10-8 win.

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