Yorkshire Division One: Keighley 36 Acklam 0

KEIGHLEY will go into their derby at winless Bradford Salem on Saturday with two victories from as many matches.

They followed up their 14-6 derby win at Yarnbury with a bonus-point win over Acklam, again keeping their try-line intact.

Both visitors Acklam and the hosts were intent on playing open rugby, with Acklam having lots of possession after dominating line-out and scrum, but there was no space out wide thanks to Keighley's defensive axis of Alex Brown and centres Adam Horsfall and Ben Blackwell.

However, Keighley fought their way back into the game, pressurising their opponents, only for opportunities to be squandered by poor execution.

Brown did put Keighley ahead with a penalty but Acklam's plan to kick deep to Allan Ebbrell foundered as the full back counter-attacked well.

Eventually, in the last ten minutes of the half, Keighley put their game together, a darting break from scrum half Jonathan Clark and quick hands giving winger Luke Carter a run-in to the corner.

A few minutes later, a break through the middle from replacement hooker Declan Hampson found Ebbrell in support, and a well-timed pass gave Carter a 40-metre run-in under the posts, Brown converting for 15-0.

Acklam started the second half strongly, with their centre Marcus Sudron making good ground every time he had the ball, but once again the home defence was rock-solid.

Keighley, having absorbed the initial pressure, returned play deep into the opposition half, and a well-rehearsed line-out move gave lively flanker Tom Lowther the chance to crash through the defence and score, Brown again adding the extras.

Once again the visitors raised their game via their excellent scrum and good line-out, and made ground via their forwards but couldn't puncture Keighley's back line.

Keighley had a scrum on halfway and, although it was in retreat, No 8 Josh Hannah broke away at pace, and support from half-backs Brown and Clark gave second-rower Sean Minikin a well-taken try near the posts, Brown converting.

Acklam, to their great credit, worked really hard to get themselves back into the game but a late flourish from the Keighley backs gave winger Jack Atkinson the chance to score the last try of the match, Brown finishing the scoring with his fourth conversion.