Keighley 15 Bradford Salem 26 - Bradford Salem came out on top against a sometimes slip-shod Keighley side in a close game at Utley. The result keeps alive the visitors promotion hopes whilst at the same time adds to Keighley's relegation fears.

Stand off Matt Booth put the visitors ahead with a penalty goal in the fifth minute after a high tackle, but Keighley struck back quickly when flanker Leigh Sugden exploited a defensive lapse by Booth, allowing stand off Johnny Harrison to snap up a loose ball and scamper over.

Salem's generosity was soon repaid, the visitor's winger Chris Luxton benefiting from some careless Keighley handling before showing a clean pair of heels on a 30 metre dash to the line.

The game remained evenly balanced, however, and a Harrison penalty goal tied the scores. An ankle injury to Keighley scrum half Andrew Marklew then unsettled the home side, Mark Beckett's move to the base of the scrum inhibiting his penetrating attacking skills and opportunities from full back.

In a defining 15 minute spell before half time, Salem ran in two tries, and thereafter Keighley struggled to make up the deficit. Flanker Steve Cowman grabbed the first, peeling off from a powerful twenty metre rolling maul by the Salem pack which had driven Keighley back almost to their line, with Booth converting. The second try was as devastating to the Utley men as it was avoidable. Solid work by backs and forwards had taken play well into the Salem 22 metre area, where a Keighley attack broke down through poor passing and centre Paul Gledhill broke away, holding off the pursuers on a long run to the line.

An injury to flanker Rob Ellis, Keighley's most influential player, early in the second half was another demoralising blow to the side, but with the visitors big second row forward France in the sin bin for handling in the ruck, the Keighley pack for a while took control. From a five metre line out, hooker Dave Pullen latched onto an inside pass from Harrison for a rare try which game Keighley renewed hope.

With defences on top, neither side was able to create any further try scoring chances, but the enterprising Booth kept Salem in the clear with a penalty goal and a well taken drop goal.

Keighley's success at Heaton in October was avenged and it would be harsh to deny the merit of Salem's victory. There are, however, enough talented players, both backs and forwards, in the Keighley side to ensure survival. No-one impressed more on the day than flankers Leigh Sugden and (until his injury) Rob Ellis, and second row man Andy Bennett in his first appearance of the season, had a sound game and was well supported, as always, by hooker Dave Pullen.

For Saturday's vital, but potentially difficult visit to Huddersfield YMCA, Matt Gaffney returns on the wing and Adam Balderstone is at scrum half. Rob Riley starts at prop and Michael Feather is at second row. Lee Gordon returns at No.7 for the injured Rob Ellis.