Keighley 23, Old Brodleians 25

A late try by No.8 Phil Horton snatched a lucky win for Brods in a friendly game which lacked the passion and commitment of recent league matches.

It was a game which Keighley really should have won, especially when they built up a 20-5 lead early in the second half. Even without their most potent attacking player in full back Carl Smith and centre Kevin Young, both resting minor injuries, they controlled events for long periods.

Stand off John Harrison and centre Danny Mavro were prominent both in attack and in defence. Forwards Tim Midgley and Mark Lister Were the pick of the forwards, Midgley in particular winning valuable line out ball.

County forward Horton impressed for the visitors in a surprisingly subdued pack whilst the young New Zealander Dan Robinson was a constant threat with his pace on the wing.

Keighley opened the scoring with a penalty goal by Harrison after 10 minutes play following a break by No. 8 Chris Weatherill and good support fromscrum half Martin Uren. Both Carroll for Brods and Mavro for Keighley ran well as the game ebbed and flowed before Harrison confused the defence with an involuntary juggling act which led to him touching down unopposed for the try, to which he added the conversion.

The visitors replied with an excellent try by Robinson who finished off a move from a tap penalty, with a sparkling touch line dash but Harrison edged Keighley further ahead before half time with a second penalty goal.

Mavro's try soon after the break should have settled the issue. It followed a teasing kick ahead by Harrison which resulted in a scrum 5 metres from the Brods line, won quick possession and Mavro slid through a gap to touch down close to the posts with Anderson converting.

The loss of skipper John Duffy. who was replaced by debutant Richard Leach was a blow to Keighley and the forwards began to look vulnerable in the set pieces. A mix up in defence by Harrison led to his attempted clearance being charged down by Richard Nicholls who enjoyed the formality of touching down as the ball rolled over the Keighley line.

Nicholls try owed much to good fortune Brods next score certainly contained an element of farce. Keighleys Michael Feather made what appeared to be a perfect mark after a penalty attempt by Nicholls conversion reduced Keighleys lead to 3 points although Harrison soon extended it with another penalty goal.

Brods crept back to within 3 points of Keighleys score with a penalty goal by Nicholls. They seized an unlikely and undeserved victory which was achieved 2 minutes from time when Keighley reduced to 14 men following an injury to winger David Proud, the powerful Horton ploughed over for his try.

n Keighley Thirds lost 39-0 to Old Brodleians.

Keighley came out if the changing rooms acting as if they were already defeated and Old Brodleians didn't need a second invitation to hand out a heavy defeat.

Keighley will be hoping to beat Bradford and Bingley at Utley this week.

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