Albion Cats 20

Townville Panthers 8

Keighley Albion Cats recorded one of the most stunning victories in their history when they dumped Wakefield Townville Panthers out of the Challenge Cup.

For those not overly familiar with the women's game the significance of the result may not be immediately apparent. However Wakefield have dominated Women's Rugby League over the last decade.

They have won 10 consecutive Cup and League doubles and incredibly, prior to Sunday, only ever lost four games in their history.

It is a measure of Keighley's achievement that the shocks are still reverberating around the game nearly a week later.

The game kicked off in very wet conditions and the home side immediately put Wakefield under pressure. On only the third tackle Wakefield spilled the ball on their own 20 metre line. From the resultant scrum Leanne Ludlam powered through for an unstoppable try. Laura Ackroyd added the conversion and it was game on.

Stunned by this setback Wakefield dominated the game for the next twenty minutes but the Cats defence remained resolute.

A couple of half breaks by Keighley reminded the visitors of the potential danger but defences remained in charge. Then after a period of sustained pressure Wakefield eventually penetrated the Keighley defence to score in the corner. No extras were added but there was nothing to choose between the sides at this stage.

With half time approaching the Cats fashioned a wonderful try. Just inside their own half some smart passing released Sarah Cartwright wide on the right and she galloped beyond the cover to touch down under the sticks. Ackroyd again added the conversion and Wakefield were rattled.

At half time it was 12-4 to Keighley and the Cats seemed determined to hang on. Unfortunately straight from the restart Wakefield scored a second try and although they missed the conversion the Cats lead was now under real threat. However as the half progressed Keighley got visibly stronger and pressured Wakefield into uncharacteristic mistakes.

The Cats were camped in Wakefield's half and eventually the pressure told, a determined break by Jodee Loader was carried on by Keira Burns and finished off in fine style by Sarah Shillito. The kick was missed but time was running out for Wakefield to save the game.

Their last hope departed when Gemma Walsh their Great Britain centre was sin binned for talking back to the referee. Foolishly she carried on and the yellow card turned to red.

It was all Keighley now and first Burns and then Ackroyd were denied tries after losing the ball over the try line. But Keighley were not to be denied and in the final minute Shillito squeezed over for her second score to wrap up a victory everyone will remember for a long time.

In an outstanding team performance every player deserves a mention but the player of the match went to Laura Ackroyd who had an immense game.This week the Cats return to earth with a long league trip up to Barrow.