Beverley 46

Keighley 12

KEIGHLEY’S excellent victory the previous week in Yorkshire Division One proved to be a false dawn when they stumbled to a comprehensive defeat at the hands of an efficient and competent Beverley side.

The home side were quickly out of its blocks and only a keen Keighley defence, well mastered by centre Adam Horsfall, repelled a series of assaults by both backs and forwards.

A penalty goal by stand-off Phil Duboulay opened the scoring after Keighley’s midfield backs strayed offside. This was soon followed by a try for second row man Jack Houseman after a barging run from 20 metres out,with Duboulay adding the conversion.

At this stage Beverley were firmly in control and, assisted by some generous Keighley defence, added two tries in rapid succession by wing man Ben Woodhouse and scrum-half Rob Smith, both converted by Duboulay.

Trailing by 24 points, Keighley at last upped their game.

Tenacious work by their forwards provided more possession for the backs, leading to centre Alfie Seeley touching down in the corner.

Any realistic hopes of a serious revival were soon dispelled in the second half when home full-back Luke Hazell crossed for the first of his brace of tries, the second converted by scrum-half Smith.

Keighley’s lightweight pack was being put under increasing pressure at the scrums with Houseman and ex-Saracens, Bath and Bristol man Ben Skirving to the fore.

Houseman grabbed his second try, before Keighley again showed glimpses of their potential.

The team lacks nothing in spirit and tenacity and were rewarded with a well-taken try by replacement flanker Tom Willson, converted by Jake Duxbury.

With time running out, Keighley threw everything into attack and thoroughly tested the home defence.

A fine run by Duxbury deserved a better reward, but in the final seconds of the game the impressive Rob Smith snapped up a loose ball close to his own try line before dashing the length of the field for his side’s final score.

On paper it looked like a humiliating defeat but a Keighley side lacking a number of first choice players generally contested well.

Saturday’s home fixture against Hullensians (kick-off 2pm) should provide a more realistic chance of success.