SSE Yorkshire Division Two: Ripon 9, Keighley 12

A STRANGELY lethargic Keighley managed to win against the run of play.

Although the visitors started well with some promising attacks, Ripon soon managed to monopolise possession and territory. Choosing to run the ball at every opportunity, Ripon stretched the opposition defence, but their efforts were thwarted and they only managed two penalties from winger Tom Leeming.

At the start of the second half, Keighley's forwards took control and some powerful play from a line-out led to a try for No 8 Josh Hannah, converted by fly half Alex Brown.

Ripon raised their game and spent extended periods of time in the Keighley half as some enterprising play took them close to scoring.

But the visitors' defence proved too strong. Under pressure, Keighley conceded a string of penalties, one of which Leeming converted.

With time running out, a final desperate thrust by the Keighley forwards gave wing forward Tom Lowther a try in the corner. From the resulting restart, the Keighley forwards kept control of the ball until the final whistle.