Keighley 1st XV 10 BEVERLEY 13 - Keighley came close to ending league leaders Beverley's unbeaten run, only a controversial decision by referee Jonathan Hill denying wingman Asa Firth a match clinching try in the last minute of a hard fought and often physical encounter.

The visitors, who before the start, had averaged thirty five points per game, were rocked by a spectacular first minute try by full back Matthew Cox who scorched over between the posts after a brilliant touchline run by Firth, with Johnny Harrison converting.

The Cox/Firth partnership is rapidly developing into something special, their exceptional pace and attacking skills regularly proving too much for most sides to handle.

The Keighley pack, bolstered by the return of prop Paul Sinfield, more than held its own in the fiercely contesting forward exchanges, whilst the backs often looked sharp in attack and brave in defence. Young centre John Currie, standing in for the injured Danny Horne, had a sound league debut and is a great prospect for the future. But it was co-centre Nigel Curr who stole the honours with his unflinching tackling of the hard running 17 stones 6 ft 3 inches kiwi centre Segi.

Nonetheless, the accomplished Beverley side gradually hauled itself into contention. Scrum half Ian Archibald claimed his side's first points with a penalty goal in spite of failing with two other attempts, although Harrison added a penalty goal f or Keighley following a late challenge by Segi which earned him 10 minutes in the sin bin. By half time the scores were tied after flanker Paul McGrath barged over after a five metre scrum and Archibald added the conversion.

Beverley began the second half looking strong and determined and for a time threatened to overrun the Utley men. The spirited defence held out however, and restricted the scoring to a single penalty goal by Archibald after an earlier effort had rebounded off a post. Harrison was narrowly off target with two penalty goal attempts as Keighley fought back, but they regularly fell victim to the visitor's spoiling tactics and were unable to force any real pressure on the try line until Firth's dramatic late run, which took him past the defence and in the clear, until Mr Hill's intervention denied him and the side glory!

Probably the multi national Beverley side just about deserved the spoils, but they were certainly rattled by the quality of Keighley's play and much relieved at the sound of the final whistle. The pick of the gallant Keighley side were forwards Dave Pullen and Leigh Sugden with Firth, Cox and Curr outstanding in the backs. Sadly the defeat was compounded by an injury to No.8 Michael Feather, who was later detained in hospital with a suspected damaged spleen. Keighley followers will be relieved to know that this most popular of players is making a good recovery and should be discharged during the week.

Saturday sees Keighley visiting the other unbeaten side in the league Pontefract. Tom McArthur is at prop for the unavailable Paul Sinfield and Duncan Walsh starts in the second row. John Currie continues at centre for the injured Danny Horne.

Otley 2nd/3rds XV 45

Keighley 2nd XV 13

Keighley didn't have the fire power or speed to hold a well drilled Otley side.

They ran out of steam in the last quarter and Otley ran in four converted tries to hand Keighley their biggest defeat of the season.

The first Otley try came from a lineout when their pack drove Keighley back over the try line with ease. Keighley buckled down and for the rest of the game they matched the Otley pack in set pieces.

Richard Cavender kicked a penalty, as Keighley were now taking the game to Otley but their fullback scored a stunning try.

Richard Cavender pulled off a try-saving tackle and Ellis put Keighley back in the game when he supported Duncan Walsh and made good ground before supplying an overhead pass to Chris Watts who scored a try on the left.

Now only four points behind at the halfway point Lister knew that if his forwards could keep the ball away from the Otley backs they had a chance. They battled hard for twenty minutes with Phil Hannah going close but when Otley at last got good ball out wide their speedy young wingman scored in the corner.

Keighley hit back with a try from young prop Joe Macarthur who ran the last 25 yards to score a good try.

Keighley's backrow was disrupted by injuries and the opposition profited with their wingmen scoring three tries and their solid centre added a fourth.

This was hopefully a lesson in good handling and fitness that Keighley will have absorbed and try to emulate. Speed and pace is difficult to improve, but fitness and skills can only be learned on the training pitch.