Hillside 42 Keighley Cats 14 - Keighley travelled to Oldham to face rivals Hillside Hawks. Tension was high even before kick off as the appointed Ref failed to show.

A stand-in referee blew the whistle to begin a very fractious game of rugby. Keighley took thier foot off the gas and disappointing tackling enabled Hillside to put points on the board first.

Trailing 6-0 Keighley regrouped and replied with Sara Gatenby diving over the line in the corner but with no conversion. The game was being played at an incredible pace with Hillsde seeming to gain more advantage of the ball.

Hillside's strong forwards ploughed up the field towards the Keighley line. Gallant attempts by Keighley seemed futile as Hillsde forced over the line and was converted. Angie Pickard led the forwards again in attack but Hillside seemed impossible to break.

The referee, under pressure from the home crowd, sent a Keighley player to sin bin for ten minutes for a very dubious high tackle.

They began the second half with 12 players but Keighley withstood the pressure and held out. Emma Templeton put in her best performance of the season and the game got better.

The two tries followed from Hillside but were both completed by obvious forward passes. Cheap shots had started to be thrown by Hillside by this point. Ignoring the taunts of the crowd Keighly pushed deep and Gemma Liddon stole a try on the line but it was not converted.

Hillside replied again with a try and kick.

Strong attacking play by the never tiring Sarah Shillito pushed Keighley into a great position, Laura Ackroyd pushed her way over the line to score and convert her own try.

Hillside were not happy decided to try and fight rather than play rugby. More dubious decisions led to Hillside scoring again.

As the clock ticked down Hillside led the way to a pitched battle which also involved several Hillside subs and spectators and coaches. The referee finally gained control and sent off a Hillside player for punching but then gave the penalty to Hillside!

The final whistle blew and Keighley left the pitch feeling disappointed and cheated.

The Cats face Castleford at home on Sunday 1.30ko at Marley.