Keighley Albion 9 Elland 26 - Albion's run in the Halifax Cup came to an end when they were beaten by Elland last weekend. The final score didn't reflect the game or the effort that the Albion put in and in a way it was a shame that the same performance hadn't been seen the previous week as it would surely have seen them through to the semi-final of the Pennine Cup.

The game was played at breakneck speed in the opening quarter with good attacking moves and big hits being made in defence by both sides. Spencer, Wrench and Farrar were prominent for Albion before Dean Brookes managed to open the scoring with a penalty on 20 minutes. Within minutes Albion had lost possession and from the scrum Elland's centre scored a converted try.

Within minutes they lost possession again and gifted Elland's loose forward the chance to stroll over and take the score to 10-2 in their favour.

Albion pressed for a score before half time and good work from Tom Holland saw him go over the line but the score was disallowed for a double movement and Elland held the advantage at the break.

Coach Paul Bailey had asked for Albion to raise their game and the Keighley side went at Elland hammer and tongs in the opening exchanges which saw them rewarded with a drop goal from Steve Cullen. Albion pushed Elland onto the back foot with some more telling drives from the home forwards. Brookes put Wayne Smith clear to feed Andy Parker. With the full back to beat Parker steamrollered over him to score an excellent try and lift the home team's spirits. Brookes landed an excellent touchline kick and at 10-9 it was all to play for.

Albion continued to have the best of the pressure and with 25 minutes of the second half gone Brookes had the opportunity to take the lead with a penalty but it just flew wide. Elland were able to call on their experience of playing at the highest level and they began to come back at Albion to seal the game. First they landed a penalty before a good interchange saw them take the score to 18-9 with 10 minutes to play.

Elland landed a further penalty after one of their players took a high shot and in the final few minutes and added a converted try to book their place in the final.

With their cup runs at an end they now have 13 league games left to land the division title and are well placed after suffering only one defeat so far. Tomorrow they are away to Rotherham and the second team are at home to Hollingwood.

Todmorden 10

Silsden Park Rangers 26

Silsden got back to winning ways in a tight fought game at Todmorden. The game was not safe until Silsden's captain, Neil Jordan, scored in the dying seconds.

After a close first half, Silsden completely dominated the game in all departments in the second priod, scoring 20 points without reply.

It looked ominous for Silsden when the big Todmorden pack forced a penalty for offside, and took an easy two-point lead. They kept up the pressure and gave the Cobbydale side plenty to think about in defence.

Influential stand-off Danny Horne, scored Silsden's opener, after collecting the ball deep in his own 20m area, and beat all 13 Todmorden players scoring wide on the left. Chris Langdale could not convert into the gusting breeze.

The try fired up the Todmorden side, and following a fumble from an up and under, they scored a simple unconverted try from close range. Silsden levelled the scores at six each with a penalty conversion from Chris Langdale, but a disastrous mistake from the kick-off gave Todmorden the ball back, and they were able to breach the Silsden line with their massive pack. The conversion was missed to give a half-time score of 10-6 to the home side.

With the breeze at their backs, Silsden played some class rugby, although it was clear that points were going to be at a premium on the postage-stamp pitch.

Todmorden, who were unbeaten at home this season, were in no mood to lose that record, and some clever kicking from their experienced half-backs kept the pressure on the visitors. A snaking run brought Horne his second try, which Langdale converted.

Silsden moved further ahead when Horne kicked a penalty after the Todmorden second row man was sin-binned for punching.

After some excellent build-up play from the Silsden props of Mark Stott and Ed Billings, Silsden's power-play left Todmorden with their back to the line and after six tackles, could only advance 30 metres up the pitch. A swift move exposed gaps in the defence, and when Mark Adams was tackled just short of the line, dummy half Matty Bowness dived in next to the posts. Danny Horne added the conversion.

Silsden led by 10 points with 20 minutes to go, and the game was sealed when Silsden scored a beautiful try from Neil Jordan after a planned "Aussie" move completely wrong footed the Todmorden defence. Danny Horne added the extras to complete the afternoon's entertainment for the Silsden supporters.

The win puts Silsden third in the league behind leaders Odsal Sedbergh and Dodworth. Silsden have both these sides to play at home, so their promotion hopes are far from over.

Tomorrow (Saturday) they are at home to Moldgreen, kick-off is at 2.30 pm.

Cowling Harlequin 30

Rotherham A 20

Cowling travelled to Hoyland to play Rotherham A whose pitch was out of action.

With a depleted squad Cowling had a nervous start and Rotherham were awarded with an early try by Alan Concannon with the goal being missed.

Dave Needham slotted home a penalty five minutes later followed almost immediately be a fine debut try for Cowling by Rob McAndrew. Dave Needham failed to goal but followed up with a drop goal.

Rotherham responded with an individual try by Steve. Captain Tom McAndrew followed his brother over just before the break. Cowling went in to the second half 11-8 up and dominated the next 20 minutes with tries by Shaun Metcalf, another cracker from Rob McAndrew and a length of the pitch gallop by full back Jimmy Anson. All were converted by Darren Greenwood.

With Cowling leading 29-8 Rotherham played their trump card in the form of former Keighley Cougar player Andy Tyas who came on as a late sub and combined with Steve Ridyard to bulldoze three tries over the top of the tiring Cowling defence.

They managed to hold up the Rotherham attack over the line four times. Dave Needham banged home his second drop goal which saw Cowling reach 30 points and despite bagging the same number of tries Rotherham failed to add a single conversion. Rob McAndrew took the man of the match award. Cowling are at home to Wyke at South Craven School tomorrow Saturday.