Yorkshire One: Keighley 52 Yarnbury 33

KEIGHLEY celebrated the final league game on their pitch with a well-earned victory, which condemned Yarnbury to relegation.

Next season sees the birth of a new era at Rose Cottage as the RFU are set to install a state-of-the-art 3G artificial grass surface during the summer.

And Keighley signed off in style during a fast-flowing encounter.

Within minutes they swept play up field, resulting in a try for wing forward Josh Hannah, outside half Alex Brown converting.

Yarnbury’s response was instant as strong driving play forced captain James Cryan over wide out, Keiron Davies adding the extras from a difficult spot. Keighley really threw the ball around as both forwards and backs showed good handling. Joe Copperwaite finished off a good piece of play to score under the posts, Brown adding the kick again.

Keighley dominated territory and gained good line-out ball from Hamish Pratt. A well-rehearsed move found powerful No 8 Leigh Sugden at pace and he touched down for a fine try.

Brown converted and was the next player to score when he latched onto a ball from prop Craig Spencer to go under the posts.

Yarnbury, to their credit, began to gain quality possession from their powerful forwards, which allowed excellent scrum half Nathan Benton the chance to duck under some poor defence to score in the corner. Keiron Davies converted the touchline kick.

Just before half-time Keighley full back Alfie Seeley fielded a long kick out of defence. Rather than the safety-first option, he danced his way up field to score an outstanding individual try.

There was no let-up from the hosts after the break as some poor defence gave centre Adam Horsfall the chance to crash over under the posts.

Once again, Yarnbury hit back, with their two second rows making the hard yards to set up a well-taken try for James Falgate.

However, Keighley, with quality ball from all phases of forward play, maintained a firm grip on the game. Pressure told and a further try for Horsfall was converted by Brown.

The centre was having a great game and he managed to steal the ball at a breakdown and slip it to hooker Shaun Minikin, who rounded the last defender to score wide out.

Yarnbury, to their great credit, stuck with to their task. Some fine running orchestrated by skilful outside half Davies was supported by a solid pack and resulted in a well-taken second try for scrum half Benton. That was closely followed by a try for centre Tom O’Brien, both converted by Davies, but it was not enough to save the visitors.