Keighley 8 Horden 17 - Spirited play by the forwards during the whole of the 80 minutes was not fully supported by the backs in a match that for threequarters of the game seemed to seesaw between the two 22 metre lines.

Apart from a well earned try by the Horden forwards when their pack pressed and pressed for what seemed like five minutes on the Keighley line in the first half, the two sides appeared to be well matched. This speaks well of Keighley in that it would appear that every opposing pack they have met this season always seem taller by six inches, are certainly heavier by more than a stone per man and in some cases would seem to be more fleet of foot.

An abundance of line-out ball gained by Peter Southgate and Tim Midgley, then ably supported by the front row seemed to go amiss after the passes out by Laurence Marklew, although on one occasion a dazzling run across the field and down the left wing by Gary Davey ably supported by Warren Knowles, when at least 70 yards was gained, did bring some cheer to Keighley supporters. However, like other instances, the finishing by Keighley was not there.

Following the try scored by Rob Riley in one of those burrowing moments, Keighley seemed to gain more heart, but once again too little too late in the game.

If only they could string together those purple patches into a session of twenty-thirty minutes very early in the game the score line would surely easily read 30 points to nil and would demoralise the opposition.

Riley's try was not without payment and he had to be replaced, throwing flanker Tyrone Adams into the front row and once again upsetting the balance of the pack.

Oh for a settled team. The coach must be despairing. His only consolation must be that he can forget the full back position as Davey seems to be holding that position by right.

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