Leodensians 12 Keighley 7 - Keighley's victorious run which stretched back to the ninth November came to a disappointing end when they were defeated in the first round of the Yorkshire Shield.

Their comprehensive win on the same ground only 3 weeks earlier seemed in the distant past as only rarely did they display the sparkle that has so often illuminated their performances during this highly successful season.

The side could point to the extensive list of first choice players who were absent and to the loss during the game of two of its most influential members in skipper Rob Riley and full back Carl Smith, but the simple fact remained that it was a shoddy, lack lustre performance which brought its just desserts.

A try by Leo's wingman Matt Freer after 10 minutes play, following a slick attack by the home backs, served as a warning to Keighley that they would need to work hard for a victory. The home side had enjoyed the best of the early exchanges and the strong running Freer was soon causing further problems, only a foot in touch denying him a possible second try.

Good work by forwards Paul Salmon and Peter Schofield, who, with Leigh Sugden, were among the few Keighley players to emerge with credit, gradually brought Keighley into contention. A powerful drive by the pack forced play close to the Leo's line but they were unable to secure the touchdown. The pressure was maintained, however, and from a scrum 15 metres out centre Kevin Young cut through for a try converted by Johnny Harrison.

Keighley hung on to their two-point lead up to half time despite the loss to the sin bin of Leigh Sugden for a technical offence. With neither side impressing it began to look as though Keighley might grind out a victory, particularly when home no. 5 Newsham was dismissed for 10 minutes for a dangerous tackle. Sadly however, Keighley's finger was on the self-destruct button. A high kick ahead by home stand off Dan Eddie was fumbled by Warren Knowles and centre Richie Barlow followed up smartly to touch down under the posts leaving Eddie with the simplest of conversions.

As Keighley struggled to cope with the precautionary retirement of Carl Smith with a hamstring problem, Rob Riley, who had gamely taken the field despite his pre-match sickness, was also forced to leave the action. Leo's were, nonetheless, unable to capitalise on Keighley's misfortunes. The scrum continued to hold up against the heavier home pack. Replacement prop Evan Griffin added some pace and aggression and second row replacement Duncan Walsh claimed some useful line out ball in his first senior appearance since suffering a shoulder injury way back in September.

Keighley's attack lacked a cutting edge, however. As full time approached they plugged away at the home defence without seriously threatening to break it, until at last the backs found space. With the line beckoning the luckless Warren Knowles spilled a try-scoring pass. It was their last chance, even though they finished the game on the attack.

The side must now re-discover its form before Saturday's key league fixture at West Park Bramhope. The opponents were the last side to inflict a league defeat on Keighley when they scraped home by 7 points to 3 way back on the 14th September. Much will depend on the availability of Keighley's growing list of casualties.