KeighleyAlbion 20 Brighouse Rangers 8 - STEVE CULLEN turned on the style to score all four tries as Albion stopped Brighouse in their tracks.

Rangers would have gone clear at the top of the table if they had won, but were denied the opportunity by an improving Keighley side.

Albion enjoyed much of the early territorial advantage, but failed to turn pressure into points against well organised an enthusiastic Brighouse defence. The stalemate was broken on 26 minutes when Cullen picked up a stray pass and sprint 70 yards to score in the corner. Fullback James Young was just wide with a difficult conversion attempt.

Nine minute later Cullen was on hand again to finish off a fine passing movement launched by inspirational scrum half Jon Gwilliam, to give Albion an 8-0 lead.

Brighouse rallied early in the second half when a lapse in concentration handed a try under the posts for Mark Horne, with the conversion and a further penalty from Chris Gregg levelling the scores.

Albion forwards Steve Wrench, Chris Atkins and Chris Dooling worked tirelessley with support from the astute kicking of Jamie Donnelly and an excellent defensive display from Scott Bellamy adding to the visitors' frustration.

The first of Cullen's two second half tries was the pick of the afternoon. He showed pace linking with Pickles to finish off a fine passage of support play instigated by the ever-youthful Andy Parker. James Young pup on his kicking boots at half time and added the extra points to bouth tries to give Albion a convincing victory.

Alex Young, captain Richard Hollins and 16-year-old Danny Snowden, on his debut, also impressed.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Albion are away at Elland in the preliminary round of the Halifax Cup.

Keighley Town A 88

Harehills 4

This was a one sided game right from the start, Harehills to there credit never gave in and kept trying and right at the death got there rewards with a good try.

In a game like this teams can get carried away and every player wants to score and at times Town were guilty, but for long spells they kept their discipline and moved the ball from one touch line to the other. Hard working forwards Danny Spencer, Barns, Melvin and Benn together with half backs Paton and O'Connor linked up with new hooker Jamie Benn to move the ball out wide to Parker, Gall and Woodhead who made the most of the open spaces.

Mick Phillips who scored a hat-trick of tries in only his fourth game of rugby.

Overall it was a good team performance. The strong approach must be brought in to every game if they are going to achieve their potential as they will meet stiffer opposition as the season progresses.

Towns scorers were: M Phillips (3), Charlton (3), Paton (2), Clough (2), O'Connor (2), P Phillips, Melvin, Benn, Gall and McKay. O'Connor kicked 10 goals.

Tomorrow (Saturday) they will face a much tougher test against Clayton A.

Pennine League

Premier Division: Elland 40 Keighley Town 10; Keighley Albion 20 Brighouse Rangers 8. Division Two: Silsden Park Rangers 4 Greetland All Rounders 26. Division Six: Keighley Town 'A' 88 Harehills 4; Wibsey Warriors 12 Cowling Harlequin 10.

Fixtures

Joseph Fee Memorial Trophy (Preliminary round): Keighley Town v Stainland Stags, Elland v Keighley Albion. Division Two: Silsden Park Rangers v Stanningley A. Division Five: Wetherby Bulldogs v West Craven Warriors. Division Six: Clayton A v Keighley Town A.