Keighley hoisted themselves back to the top of the league with a convincing 44-7 win over visitors Ashington.

They ran in six sparkling tries, all scored by their impressive backs and but for a rare defensive lapse mid-way through the first half, would have kept a clean score sheet in their favour.

On a perfect day with the ground in remarkably good condition after recent heavy rain Keighley gave early notice of their attacking policy with wingman Warren Knowles being held 10 meters from the line after an exciting raid by their backs. The forwards maintained the pressure, forcing the visitors to concede a penalty in front of their posts which was safely converted by John Harrison.

The first try soon followed when excellent approach play by centre Richard Emmott, culminating with a well-flighted pass, allowed wingman Warren Knowles to touch down in the corner.

Harrison extended the lead with another penalty goal but Ashington's resolute pack drove play deep into the Keighley half from where they stole possession from a scrum and centre Rhodes forced his way over for a try converted by full back Nevens.

Keighley soon regained their composure and a break by centre Kevin Young put away full back Carl Smith whose strength and determination carried him through several tackles for a fine try. John Harrison, whose kicking form is returning to its impressive best, added the touchline conversion.

Smith, who two seasons ago ran in five tries against the same opposition, was a constant threat to the shaky Ashington defence as Keighley continued to entertain the crowd and he sliced through for his second try, again converted by Harrison. A jinking run by hooker Darren Ideson troubled the visitors but they held out without conceding further points before the break.

The second half began with Keighley again hungry for points and a well judged pass by Harrison set Smith away on a powerful 60 metre run to the line.

A touch-line dash by Knowles after good work by forwards Simon Atkin and Mark Lister ended with the wingman being well tackled into touch, but Keighley then relaxed allowing the Ashington pack, prompted by stand off Scott, to drive play to the Keighley line, from where they drew on all their defensive resources to hold out against a series of scrums. The Keighley front row was, however, equal to the task and with back row men Lister and Weatherill to the fore, eventually saw off the danger.

Two scintillating converted tries finally finished off a more than satisfactory afternoon's work by Keighley. First wingman David Proud angled his run superbly onto a short pass from Harrison and then jinked and swerved past several defenders before touching down close to the posts. Then with time running out Richard Emmott's strong break from the opposition half of the field was well supported by Knowles who made good progress before handing on to Smith who ran in his fourth try.

Pick of the backs were Emmott, Smith and Harrison with Neil Marklew, Lister and Atkin setting the example in a hard working pack.

The victory was just the tonic Keighley needed before facing rather sterner opposition over the next few weeks. The promotion race is once more wide open after rivals Hull inflicted the first defeat of the season over former league leaders Darlington Mowden Park, leaving Keighley narrowly ahead in what is developing into a three horse race.

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