York Acorn 10

Keighley Albion 16

Albion's visit to York Acorn was their first game for four weeks and both teams were on the same number of points.

A Tony Fretwell 30m break out of defence settled Albion's nerves as they began to take control. Jon Gwilliam was at the heart of the Keighley side's attacks with Martin Fryers making good yards.

Albion got the first points of the game when Paul Fryers was obstructed in an attacking move, Dean Brookes kicking the penalty goal to give Albion a 2-0 lead.

An unorthodox pass from Jon Gwillam released Chris Atkins who slipped the ball to Paul Fryers. The second-rower then supplied the final pass to Andy Bowness who scored an excellent try.

Following more good work by Gwillam Albion were awarded a penalty after a high tackle. Dean Brookes converted to put Albion further ahead.

Acorn then had their best spell of the half helped by the Keighley side's indiscipline as they gave away three penalties in quick succession. The York side to put pressure on Albion's line and in the 32nd minute Tim Wilcox went in at the corner.

The game had become a scrappy affair and Albion were penalised again, York's John Hoff kicked the goal.

Albion had dominated with open rugby for long periods but indiscipline had cost them points when they should have been home and dry, but Acorn were still in the game with a 6-8 half-time scoreline.

The Keighley side were in no mood to give away any more points. Martin Fryers and Mark Adams were to the fore after the re-start.

As the home side ran out of ideas Albion stepped up a gear, firstly though sub Craig Livock who's probing runs had Acorn back-pedalling plus Jon Gwillam who was a constant threat in attack. But it was Craig Livock who broke the Acorn line again before sending Chris Atkins on a 40m run to score under the posts. Dean Brookes added the goal.

After solid Albion play the York side were caught offside and Dean Brookes added the penalty goal to stretch their lead to 16-6.

The home team refused to submit and hit back when sub Paul Dodsworth forced his way over.

Next week Albion are at home to London Skolars with the Keighley side again looking to improve on their league position. The second string will be in action against the Skolars A team both games kick off at 2pm.

Keighley Town 10

Stainland Stags 8

Keighley Town showed tremendous character to overcome unbeaten Stainland Stags in the first round of the Pennine Cup.

In a thrilling contest Stainland held the lead until five minutes from time and in the end failed to hold off a determined fight back by Town.

With both defences on top, points were at a premium, Stainland took the lead with a converted try after 18 minutes when Town's line failed to move up and Stags big second row crashed over. Stainland extended their lead five minutes later when they lost the ball in the tackle but the referee ruled the ball had been stolen and the penalty gave them an eight points lead. Town led by skipper Darren Lynam and Paul Scott went up a gear and persistence paid dividends when right on the half time whistle Stainland were caught off-side and scrum half Neil Kennedy kicked the penalty to bring Town back into the game.

Town's fight back continued at the start of the second half when great hands along the line to Lawrance Welsh saw him beat the cover to score in the corner.

The game was in the balance with Stainland under tremendous pressure having to clear their line on several occasions. Tiredness crept into the game and Stainland were caught off-side as Town asserted more pressure and Kennedy made no mistake with the chance to level the scores.

A replay looked to be on the cards until an infringement at the play the ball gave Town a penalty which Kennedy kicked to give Town a lead they were to hold onto.

Town's second string went down 30-0 to Clayton A but did not disgrace themselves, getting little reward for plenty of effort in a tough encounter.

Keighley Albion 'A' 48

Bank Top Harriers 0

The Albion second string got off to a flying start in the New Year with this comprehensive victory over the Division 6 team in round one of the President's Cup. Despite poor handling conditions the gulf between divisions six and three was clearly exposed.

Albion showed their intentions with some ferocious defence, highlighted by a massive hit by Prop Danny Bowness on his opposite numbers, which clearly went down as tackle of the season to date.

However the handling was not up to the same standard and it wasn't until the 14th minute that slick handling from Gary Baxter and Glen Palmer put Dean Condren over in the corner. Simon Kelk added the difficult conversion to set off the scoring procession.

Shortly after Richard Harrison broke down the centre of the field, passed to Gary Fox and the winger was pulled down short. Danny Bowness steamed onto the pass from the play-the-ball and forced his way over.

Minutes later a well-timed Glen Palmer pass set Dean Condren off on a 40m break and Danny Brophy used this platform to force his way over. Simon Kelk added the conversion.

The try of the match was scored by hooker Danny Brophy, Simon Kelk released Chris Brookes on a 30m break and he drew the full back to send the youngster in from 10m out. Again Kelk added the extras. To end the half Kelk and Richard Harrison combined with some neat inter-passing to send Kelk over, he also added the kick to make the score 28-0.

Playing downhill in the second half it was more of the same for Albion. Steve Holmes moved to half-back to replace Simon Kelk and set up the attacks. From early possession Chris Brookes released Glen Palmer for the prop to cruise in. Jeff Beale then shot down the wing and in at the corner.

Alistair Feather got himself on the scoresheet giving Danny Bowness an easy conversion. The scoring was rounded off when an ill-advised Bank Top pass went to ground giving Chris Brookes all the time in the world to pick up and stroll over from 5m.

Like any good boxing referee, the match official decided the visitors had taken enough punishment and called a halt 10 minutes early.

Albion 'A' can look forward to a rewarding second half to the season under the guidance of the new coaching setup, the 'Mitchell Brothers', Mark Kellett and Simon Kelk are now A-team coaches.