Keighley Albion Ladies 14

Huddersfield St Joes 20

KEIGHLEY travelled away in freezing windy conditions to lose by one try, improving dramatically from their last encounter.

On the top of a hillside, Albion took control and put numbers on the scoreboard with Saima Hussain backing up a great kick and putting down the ball for a well-worked try. The wind took hold and no conversion.

Huddersfield hit back up the hill with a conversion and scored again.

With the score 10-4 to Huddersfield, Albion put on a set of plays with a smart switch of play, leaving the hosts on their back foot enabling captain Jodee Loader to dive over for a try. The move included some great runs in open play from Claire Ackroyd and Poppy Rushton.

The second half saw even more adverse weather conditions with an icy blast. Keighley’s three new players were settling into the game.

The visitors were gaining confidence with some determined tackling and great game play in the middle of the field.

Some great tackles from Sarah Shillito and Joanie Aspin and Loader kept Keighley in the game.

With Ackroyd directing traffic and Loader hitting a perfectly-timed gap, Albion dived over the line again. Joanie Aspin controlled the ball in the wind somehow added the extras.

Keighley let their foot off the pedal and ran out of steam uphill which allowed Huddersfield to score two more tries and win at the final whistle.

Player of the match went to Ackroyd for the third match in a row .

Keighley who have been struggling with low numbers have hope on the horizon with the three new players that showed great promise; Mary-Anne Loiacono, Nicole Hannah and Courtney Sands.

Albion hope to build the squad and train at South Craven School on Thursdays from 8pm to 9pm and welcome all players of all abilities.