Ripon 14, Keighley 15 - Even the Great Houdini could not fail to have been impressed by Keighley's dramatic escape at Ripon. Warren Knowles' match winning try in the third minute of injury time clinched a win which had seemed unlikely once the home side had clawed its way into the lead mid way through the second half.

By this time Keighley's front row resources were stretched to the limit. With senior props John Duffy, and Rob Riley ruled out through injury before the start, the loss of James Fitch with a damaged elbow led to second row man Peter Southgate gamely fitting in at prop joining Richard Leach who, at a time of need, contributed his most impressive performance at first team level.

Keighley took time to settle down, producing some untidy rugby in the early stages. With the wind at their backs, however, they kept play in the Ripon half and were unlucky to be denied a try when flanker Morgan Bailey was controversially ruled to have stepped into touch as he grounded the ball, following a blind side attack from a scrum on the home 22 metre line. The pressure was maintained and after 15 minutes play, a touch of magic by Johnny Harrison allowed him to slip though the defence for a try between the posts to which he added the conversion.

Five minutes later a Harrison penalty goal extended the lead to 10 points, which Keighley held on to until half time despite a spell of frantic pressure on their line.

Having survived a torrid 5 minutes before the break, Keighley immediately found themselves defending grimly as the second half began. They eventually conceded a try when live wire scrum half Steve McAra followed up his own chip ahead to touch down and also tag on the conversion.

Keighley's reduced lead looked increasingly vulnerable. In spite of the stalwart efforts of forwards Leigh Sugden, Lee Gordon and Richard Leach, the experienced Ripon pack began to control matters up front. Too many times Keighley were robbed of possession in the rucks and mauls and the hard running Ripon centres posed an increasing threat as they profited from the possession won by their pack, finally creating a well taken try for wingman Jason Bell to edge the home side ahead.

A long-range penalty attempt by Harrison rebounded off the crossbar as Keighley sought to regain the initiative, but the loss of centre Dale Towler was a further blow to their aspirations. Replacement Kevin Young however, made an immediate impression with some strong running an he was well supported by full back Carl Smith who is rapidly regaining his best form after a long lay off through injury.

Belatedly Keighley realised that victory was more than likely to come from the backs than the forwards. Breaks by Young, Smith and wingman John Hinchcliffe faltered close to the Ripon line as Keighley threw everything into a final attack. Well into added time the luckless Ripon stand off Fred Oakes attempted clearance kick was charged down by Warren Knowles who dropped onto the ball behind the try line for one of the easiest but most important tires of his career.

Johnny Harrison's conversion miss was irrelevant. He had played a Captain's role throughout, marshalling and encouraging his side when necessary, as well as claiming 10 vital points. Keighley's persistence just about earned them their success, but a much more positive effort will be needed from the pack if they are to entertain any realistic hopes against runaway league leaders Huddersfield YMCA at Utley on Saturday.