Keighley 13 Dinnington 3 - Keighley's third win in a row after their mid winter loss of form, hoisted them into fifth place in the league and away from the relegation zone into which they had slipped.

As anticipated, second from bottom Dinnington provided stubborn opposition on an afternoon when cold hands and a tricky cross wind hampered both sides' handling ambitions.

In an error-strewn start by Keighley, they were forced to defend solidly as the visitors exploited an early monopoly of possession, and even when they had the ball in hand, they quickly returned the initiative to the opposition with misdirected and injudicious kicking.

A penalty goal for Dinnington by wingman David Marsden gave them the lead after 7 minutes play, and but for poor handling and passing, they might easily have extended the lead. Keighley however enjoyed the scraps upon which they were existing, with centre Mark Beckett causing problems with a cross field run and young wingman James Tillotson, who is adjusting well to his first team role, being narrowly frustrated when his kick ahead ran out of play as he followed up at speed.

Eventually Keighley's enterprise was rewarded when No.8 Pete Schofield picked up from a scrum on the Dinnington 22 metre line and fed full back Matthew Cox whose pace and skill was too much for the defence to handle and he crossed for an excellent try wide out.

The game remained even balanced; however Dinnington's big forwards continuing to retain possession and batter away at Keighley's keen defence where flanker Lee Gordon in particular was outstanding. As half time approached only a last ditch cover tackle by centre Nigel Curr kept out wingman Marsden and Keighley's two point lead looked vulnerable.

The second half saw a gradual change in Keighley's favour as their forwards began to work more as a unit. Prop Paul Sinfield's barging run took play well into the Dinnington half and after a patient build up by the forwards, the ball was realised to stand off Richard Cavender who calmly landed a neat drop goal.

The introduction of flanker Leigh Sugden after a long lay off through injury and suspension gave the side added momentum and another spell of pressure led to skipper Rob Riley being bundled over for a try following a 5 metre line out. The score effectively ended Dinnington's aspirations, leaving them a mountain to climb if they are to retain their Yorkshire League One status.

For Saturday's trip to Yarnbury, Scott Amos is at scrum half with Adam Balderstone moving to centre and Mark Beckett to the wing. Oliver Sugden starts at prop with brother Leigh at No.6