A SEAN Kelly hat-trick of tries aided in Keighley getting back to winning ways as they managed to snatch a late 44-39 win against bottom-placed Hullensians at Rose Cottage, to move up to 10th in Yorkshire One.

The old cliché, a game of two halves, fits this game perfectly, with Keighley holding a 19 point advantage at half time, before squeezing over the line in the final minutes.

It was a perfect start for the home side, within minutes powerful centre Kelly drove down the middle, a slick off load to winger Jack Atkinson was flicked back inside to centre Rich Tillotson, who scored in the corner.

Hullensians then began to show what they had to offer, pace on the outside and some poor defence gave them good field position.

A scrum gave the athletic Dylan Reed the chance to break and a try, well converted by Tony Smith, the wing forward added to his tally a little later with a penalty.

Slowly the hosts forwards driven on by number eight Will McLaughlin began to dominate, so much so that they spurned a number of kickable penalties.

The trust in the forwards was rewarded when second row Shaun Minikin scored under the posts, Mitchell added the conversion.

Hullensians regained the lead with a penalty from Smith.

The 10th-placed side once again pressured and a quick penalty from scrum half George Marshall found Kelly in support, crashing through two defenders to touchdown, some minutes later Olly Mitchell improved the score with a penalty.

The visitors trying desperately to close the balance forced a pass that was gratefully intercepted by Kelly who raced away to score his second try, converted by Mitchell.

Outside half Grayson Tihema finished the half with a fine break in his own half that eventually led to a hat trick for Kelly.

In the second period, Keighley made a number of substitutions, which their opponents took full advantage with an early try in the corner from full back Chris Harding.

Not to be outdone scrum half Marshall made a telling break, further pressure from the forwards and a second try for centre Tillotson.

Hullensians fought back hard, their efforts were rewarded with two tries for their outstanding number eight Reed, both converted by Smith.

At this, the final stage of the match, the 14th-placed team rightly began to gain confidence, only a try saving tackle from Kelly kept them at bay.

Eventually the constant pressure and a ragged defence gave their captain Dom Bloomfield a well deserved try, converted by the ever reliable Smith.

With a matter of minutes remaining and nerves on edge Keighley to their credit threw everything they had at the opposition.

Quick ball from their hard working forwards gave centre Kelly the chance to pull in defenders before moving the ball to fellow centre Tillotson, fixing the last defender he found winger Alan Ebbrell in support who went over the line, Jack Atkinson added the difficult conversion to gain a valuable win.

The result means Dan McGee's men can have a more relaxed Christmas, knowing they are well clear of the drop zone, however they still face a tough task before the year is out, travelling to league leaders Heath on Saturday.