Armitage's try salvages bonus point for Keighley

Keighley's winning streak in SSE Yorkshire Division One came to an abrupt end yesterday when they were deservedly beaten by a well-organised Pocklington.

Although Keighley had the advantage of the slight slope and the better of the early exchanges, all they had to show for their efforts was a penalty from Alex Brown.

Pocklington survived the early onslaught and took the game to Keighley using their big, straight running backs.

When this tactic failed to pay dividends, they kicked for position and camped in Keighley territory.

A string of not straight line-out throws gave Pocklington extra possession and the opportunity to use their main weapon - the driving maul.

This paid off when big scrum half Ben Rees broke away five metres out to crash over the line, the try being converted by full back Nick Bennett.

Keighley battled on but were frustrated by poor execution and Pocklington counter-rucking.

The visitors' attempts to run slow ball proved to be a tactical error and gave Pocklington the opportunity to scrap for possession in midfield.

Once again they worked their way into the Keighley 22-metre area and, from a line-out, the whole pack drove over to score a fine forward's try, skipper Matt Webber getting the touchdown and Bennett converting.

In the second half, Keighley were more reliant on their lively forwards to take the play to Pocklington.

A series of fine drives instigated by the back row of Leigh Sugden, Scott Dyson and Stuart Inman forced Pocklington to give ground, and a further penalty for Brown was a consequence.

Pocklington were quite content to absorb the Keighley pressure and use their possession to kick to the corners or launch up and unders - a successful tactic, forcing Keighley to attempt to play rugby in their own half.

An indiscretion at the breakdown gave Pocklington's Bennett a penalty and a further three points.

With time running out, the Keighley forwards drove play deep into opposition territory.

Taking the ball at a line-out, they mauled their way over the try line and got a touch down for hooker Will Armitage, and a valuable loser's bonus point.