Keighley awarded Yorkshire Shield tie at Middlesbrough due to lack of front-row cover

(Keighley win due to lack of front-row cover)

THE sin-binning of a Middlesbrough prop in the first half meant that Keighley were awarded this second-round tie due to a lack of front-row cover for the hosts.

The match continued as a friendly, however, both sides having chosen to blood a number of youngsters to give them more experience.

Middlesbrough started with a fast and loose style, and the strategy worked with an early try for young scrum half Connor Foley.

Keighley then imposed themselves up front, however, and, after gaining a line-out five metres out, scrum half Allan Ebbrell forced his way over in the corner, Alex Brown adding the difficult conversion.

A few minutes later, Keighley repeated the tactic, No 8 Hamish Pratt crossing for Brown to add the extras.

The visitors were well into their stride now and Middlesbrough, trying to slow the game down at the breakdown, conceded a number of penalties.

Eventually the referee had seen enough and sent a prop to the bin, but, as the home team had no replacement front-rower, Keighley were awarded the match as per the rules.

Now the contest was a club match, and Middlesbrough were next on the scoreboard with a penalty for young fly half Joe Gaudie.

Keighley responded with a well-taken try from winger Sam Walker, converted by Brown but, just before half-time. Middlesbrough's young forward Lewis Allen scored after neat interplay, Gaudie adding the conversion.

In the second half, the visitors started well with a penalty by Brown.

However, Middlesbrough upped their game, and a drive from a line out gave Allen his second try.

Keighley forced themselves back into the game with a second try for Ebbrell but the home side finished the contest well with two penalties for Gaudie and a well-taken try by forward Euan Tremlett.