Yorkshire Division One: Hullensians 23 Keighley 16

KEIGHLEY, with a depleted pack due to injuries, made a brisk start, putting the hosts under pressure.

With the game flowing from end to end, kickers Alex Brown and Clayton McCloud swapped penalties to level the score at 6-6.

Keighley, using their strong centres to maximum effect, stretched the home defence.

A fine arcing run by Ben Blackwell gave debutant winger Alfie Seeley the chance to cross in the corner, with Brown adding the difficult conversion.

Keighley, without a regular hooker, had difficulty at line-outs and, as a result, were forced to move the ball around.

Unfortunately, a long pass in midfield went to ground, and Hullensians replacement Tony Smith hacked through to score, the try being converted by McCloud.

Turning round at 16-16, with Brown and McCloud each having added a penalty, Keighley continued with their open style of play in the second half, while Hullensians, with a strong scrum and dominant line-out, used their big forwards to full advantage.

A scoring chance for Keighley went begging when Blackwell intercepted and broke free, but unfortunately he was unable to link with his supporting runner.

Hullensians turned the screw but were unable to break down a resolute defence until the stalemate was broken when a mistake in defence turned an innocuous kick through into a try for scrum half Andy Krebs, McCloud once again adding the conversion.

Keighley battled to the end but were forced to settle for a losing bonus point.