Rugby League: Amateur round-up

Keighley Albion 4

ALBION slipped to a shock defeat which left their promotion hopes in tatters.

They were looking for their sixth successive league win and everything looked to eb going to plan in the early stages.

Jon Gwilliam and Craig Morphett combined to send Chris Hogg crashing over with just one minute on the clock.

But the York were soon on the attack with ian Morse putting them ont he score sheet with a penalty goal.

Albion skipper Craig Morphett, Ian Spencer and Wayne Smith again took Albion on to the attack but the big Knights' pack was proving more than a match for Albion.

Morse kicked his second goal following an off the ball incident to put his team level after 15 minutes. To make matters an Albion player spoke out of turn and Morse converted again to put the Knights ahead.

The introduction of former Cougar Sam Broadley gave the Albion side a lift but they were to pay a heavy price for more errors.

Knight winger Jamie Webb snatched up a loose ball to score in the corner to secure a 10-4 half time lead.

After the break Sam Broadley and Wayne Smith made inroads into the Knights defence but poor disipline and handling left Albion on the back foot.

Their frustrations were there for all to see as they gave away another penalty that Ian Morse converted to put his side further ahead.

Chris Atkins pulled off an excellent tackle on his opposite number to keep Albion's hopes alive. Both Chris Hogg and Tony Fretwell made telling runs, but Albion could not turn them into scores.

Albions temperament was tested to the full as they fell foul of the referee, and were down to eleven men as Andy Bowness and Rob Haughey were sent to the sin bin for talking out of turn. Knights took advantage of their extra numbers out wide with centre Damian Ashurst toing in for an unconverted try to seal the game.

Silsden Park Rangers 20

Stainland Stags 12

Something had to give as the top two teams in division four met at a mud-soaked Silsden park.

Both were undefeated in the league and it was nip and tuck all the way through a rollercoaster match. Rangers took an early lead with Shaun Cooper and Ian Robinson combining to send Rob Bailey in at the left corner flag.

Stainland responded immediately and took the lead with a penalty goal for a high tackle to make it 4-6.

The very heavy pitch was cutting up badly making the players hard to distinguish but a titanic struggle was taking place in the forwards with the Silsden six outstanding.

Loose forward Matt Horne scored after a delayed pass from John Williams whoconverted to put Silsden 10-6 ahead at half time.

Matt Horne forced his way over for his second, Williams converted and Rangers were in a healthy position at 16-6.

Silsden had to endure eighteen tackles on their own line before they eventually cracked. A converted try putting the Stags back in the game at 16-12.

Powerful centre Phil Lane scored a late try to seal a fantastic victory.

The win made it twelve from twelve for Silsden Park Rangers and cemented their place at the top of division four. Tomorrow they travel to Bradford to take on West Bowling B, kick off 2pm.

Keighley Albion 'A' 28

Illingworth 'A' 10

Albion A managed to overcome poor conditions to beat Illingworth.

It looked far too easy in the opening five minutes when an astute Andy Parker pass released Chris Brookes on a 20m break before putting Paul Fryers clear. There was some confusion over the conversion but in the end the referee ruled no score.

Ten minutes later hooker Danny Brophy spotted a gap and scooted in from 20m.

Illingworth took full advantage of Albion's poor handing and scored in the corner and added another when a poor clearance kick fell to the winger who tied the match 8-8 at half-time.

The Halifax side opened the secondhalf with a penalty gifted by further Albion indiscipline, but the conversion was their last score of the match.

Quick hands put Pete Jeffries in at the corner and Paul Fryers made an impressive conversion a Albion hit back.

Andy Parker made the space to put Pete Jeffries in again and Alistair Feather set upthe next score with a 50m jinking run. Dean Condren and Steve Bennett combined with Condren racing in from 30m out. Paul Fryers added the kick.

Finally veteran Steve Bennett went in for a try which brough the biggest cheer of the afternoon as albion cintinued to climb up the table.

Halifax Irish 10

Keighley Town 11

A late drop goal spared Town's blushes and saw them through to the semi-final of the Joseph Fee Halifax Cup.

Defences were on top for much of the game and although several chances were created they were not finished off until Town took the lead after 30 minutes when the McNulty brothers combined.

Rocky McNulty split the defence to race 30 yards to go under the posts leaving Kennedy a simple conversion.

A mistake from the restart allowed the Halifax side to level the scores and they were unlucky not to go in front before the break when their full back lost the ball as his crossed from short range.

Town started the second half still smarting from coach Martin Plunkett's team talk and took an early lead when man of the match Tony Metcalf forced his way over from acting half.

Unforced handling errors and failure to convert pressure into points allowed the Irish back in the game and they squared the match a second time. They cross on the wing for a try but could not add the conversion.

As the Halifax side looked to create an upset it was Town who kept their nerve and worked the ball towards the posts where James Shaw found Neil Kennedy who coolly slotted the drop goal under pressure from the Halifax defence.

Naheem Anwar made an important contribution after being introduced at half time while Jamie Benn and Tony Metcalf made good defensive drives all afternoon.

Keighley Town A 4

Boothtown 4.

The Boothtown side came out on top in an early 'mud wrestling' match with their first team players making all the difference.

Town competed well and there were some notable performances from Alan Muff who was a revelation at hooker, Nathan Sharkie and new boy Anderson revelled in his second row position.

Greenwood again showed the maturity of a seasoned prop tidying up the loose play. It was another steady performancewhich should help consolidate their mid-table position.