Powerful Keighley set up win in first half (From Keighley News)

Powerful Keighley set up win in first half

York 15, Keighley 24

Alex Brown scored two tries for Keighley. Picture: Charlie Perry

A powerful first-half performance by a determined Keighley saw off the challenge of a good York team yesterday in SSE Yorkshire Division One.

York started well, using their big forwards to drive into Keighley territory but a ball stolen at the breakdown gave winger Sam Walker the chance to sprint 50 yards to the try line.

Unfortunately he was adjudged to have put a foot in touch.

From that point onwards, the more mobile Keighley forwards kept York pinned in their half and the pressure eventually told.

A muscular run by centre Marco Ferrazzano broke the first-up defence and play was taken on by the Sugden brothers.

After prop Olly Sugden had broken free of the scrabbled defence, he gave a try-scoring pass to Alex Brown, who went over under the posts and added the conversion.

Although York gained good possession and attacked well through their excellent No 8 Jim Rossington, there was no way through the midfield trio of Brown, Ferrazzano and Danny Price.

After a number of York plays had broken down, Keighley swept play upfield and, after some excellent inter-passing between forwards and backs and a maul on the line, second row Ian Buckley forced his way over the try line.

York, intent on moving the ball wide, got into the Keighley half and gained some reward for their efforts with a penalty from outside half Jon Dawes. But Keighley finished the half with a second try for Brown, who also converted.

The second half started well for York. Winger Rich Downey made a good break and, with the defence closing him down, he kicked infield and gathered to score under the posts, Dawes converting.

Keighley raised their game and through some excellent play from the their back row, especially open-side Scott Dyson, forced play into York territory.

The home defence weathered the storm and all Keighley had to show for their hard work was a penalty from Brown.

York, realising that there was nothing happening in midfield, used their big forwards to full effect and through a series of strong driving mauls they forced Keighley to concede ground.

When a maul finally stopped near the try line, powerful prop Darren Rutherford broke off to score in the corner.

With time running out, the Keighley forwards kept the ball deep in York territory.

Although the York defence managed to stop any further scoring, they were unable to gain any useful possession and were forced to concede the league points to the more determined Keighley team.