Keighley Albion 6 Worth Village 12

WORTH VILLAGE came out on top in a scrappy encounter at Ryshworth Playing Fields.

Both teams are at the bottom end of the Premier Division and they struggled to get any rhythm going as defences took control.

Theearly exchanges were fairly even andRob Haughey appeared to break the deadlock as he dived in at the corner, only to bedenied by the referee who rule he had hit the corner flag first.

Village came back to touchdown at the opposite end, John McComb's grubber kick was pounced on by Chris Kelly to open the scores, Hollingworth adding the conversion from the touchline.

A Simon Kelk penalty opened Albion's account and the score remained 2-6 at the break.

The second forty minutes saw much the same story with bothsides surrendering possession in the greasy conditions. John McComb was on hand again this time showing real pace to go in from 50 yards to increase the lead, Hollingworth converting.

Albion hit back with Mick riddiough squeezing in at the corner, but Village held out to take the much needed two points.

Keighley Albion aim to put their league problems behindthem when they bid to become the first Keighley team to reach the Pennine President's cup final this Saturday.

Albion have home advantage as they take on queensbury at Ryshworth. The visitors are in the top half of the Premier division while Albion are struggling against relegation, but cup ties are one-off matches and a major final appearance should be a huge incentive for Gary Moorby's side.

Moorby said: "We have had a disppointing season to say the lease, but this is a chance to salvage something. A cup final appearance would be a much welcomed boost for the club.

If theplayers want it as much as I do we can get the result."

Man of the match Neil Jordan scored two tries and had a hand in two more as Silsden eased past bottom club, Halifax Irish 24-12.

Teenage scrum half Alan Preston topped the tackle count and there were impressive performances from Winger Tobi Hooper and Subs Wayne Kershaw and Tim Smith.

Jordan gave Rangers and early lead as he nipped over from close quarters and Mark Kent's conversion put them 6-0 up. Pat Illingworth and Dave Arnold were both unlucky to have tries ruled out before Irish hit back with two quick scores to take a surprising 8-6 lead.

The situation might have been worse for Silsden but for a magnificent cover tackle by Tony Williams. Jordan soon steadied the ship however, backing up smartly to score as Illingworth slipped the ball out of the tackle.

Leading 12-8 at the break, Silsden generally looked the stronger side in the second half, but took time to put the finishing touches to some decent approach work. Eventually one of the many punishing runs by Eddie Billing was halted just short and as the ball moved left Jordan was on hand to send Graeme Sheffield strolling in.

The visitors still weren't finished though and a good try in the corner put them back in contention at 16-12, but Illingworth settled the issue when he reached out from short range for a well taken try before Ivan Tough rounded things off with a flourish, finishing Jordan's elusive cross-field run and a neat one-handed pass near the corner.

CELTIC progressed to the semi-final stage of the play-offs with a last gasp 13-10 victory over the Oldham side.

Having gone behind twice Celtic showed great commitment to pull this one out of the fire and they had star centre Gary Marples to thank for it.

He raced in five minutes from time after a sweet pass from Chris Brookes to give Celtic the lead for the first time, Brookes making certain with a late drop goal.

Celtic fell behind early on when they failed to gather a difficult high kick, made worse by the terrible conditions. But they soon hit back, Chris brookes, Celtic's new second team coach, was in outstanding form setting up their first try when he held on to a high kick, raced out of defence and reached half way before passing to Neil Kennedy who romped 50m for the touchdown.

Brookes then failed with an easy kick, made difficult by the muddy conditions.

A defensive error let 'Sheddings in for their second try which was converted. It looked like staying that way until Celtic's late fight back inspired by Naheem Anwar's first try for the club. He powered over out wide after Paul Kirkham sent him through.

Celtic looked like losing 10-8 until Marples raced in to put them through to the next round.

Keighley Cetlic are to launch a lottery bid in conjunction with St Annes Celtic FC and Holy Family School to provide both clubs, and a number of other community users with fantastic training and playing facilities fit for the millennium.

They are also aiming to run four teams next season. Two at open age and under12 and under-10 juniors,

They are keen to strengthen their coaching team and are looking for a player coach for the first team to work alongside Keith Reeves. They are also looking for coaches and managers to help develop the junior sides.

Anybody who would like to be involved at any level, either coaching or administration should contact Ian Kennedy on 01535-605367 or Keith Reeves on 0976-894796.

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