A BUMPER crowd turned out at Crossflatts as Keighley Albion marked their first appearance in the National Conference League with a performance that was hardly reflected in the 14-38 scoreline.

Albion were leading going into the final quarter when the pace of Conference league rugby finally took its toll and the visitors took advantage of a weary home side to seal the points.

It was Albion who opened the scoring with a Simon Kelk penalty, Mark Kellett added a second before the visitors his back with a try in the corner.

The first half saw very little between the two sides with Albion's pack holding its own against the highly rated Eccles six. Albion made ground through man of the match Andy Parker and lose forward Craig Livock. Simon Kelk added another penalty to give the home side a 6-4 lead at the interval.

Albion began the second half in great style with half backs Kelk and teenage stand-off Mick Reddiough launching the attacks. Bobby Brown scored a fine individual effort, selling a superb dummy to go over from acting half back. Mark Kellett added the conversion to give his side a 12-6 lead.

Eccles hit back shortly after with a converted try to draw level.

The Keighley lads took the lead once again through a Simon Kelk penalty, but the visitors came back strongly in the final quarter to take advantage of the tiring home side that had given its all.

Despite the defeat coach Gary Moorby was delighted with his team's performance. "We held our own for 60 minutes against the team which is tipped for promotion this season. We struggled to stay with the pace late in the game and were made to pay, it may take a few games but I'm sure we will adapt to the pace of the game.

"We had two teenagers in action, 18-year-old Adam Lilley in the front row and 16-year-old Tommy Haughey on the win, both youngsters had big games and showed lots of promise for the future."

n This weekend Albion travel to Normanton when the side will be boosted by the return of Yorkshire centre Wayne Smith.

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