West Leeds 20 Keighley 18

KEIGHLEY'S disappointment at missing out on a draw at the Yorkshire Division Two leaders with the last kick of the game was more than made up for by news that they had clinched promotion.

Moortown's defeat at Roundhegians meant the Rose Cottage side cannot be caught in second place and confirms their return to Yorkshire One after a two-year absence.

So Keighley could still celebrate after losing a titanic struggle between two well-matched top-of-the-table teams.

Sam Walker put fellow winger Luke Carter in at the corner in the dying moments but the conversion attempt, which would have earned a share of the spoils, hit an upright.

West Leeds had the better of the first half, spending the opening ten minutes camped in opposition territory.

Their slick back line were causing all sorts of problems and quick interplay between the centres gave former Great Britain rugby league winger Mark Calderwood time and space to cross the line, fly half Dale Breakwell landing the conversion.

Keighley responded well but lacked precision, probably through nerves, which caused a number of important passes to go astray. In the end, they were rewarded for their efforts with two penalties for fly half Alex Brown.

West Leeds increased their lead just before the interval with a well-taken try by centre Sam Neave, with Breakwell once again adding the extras.

The second half started badly for Keighley when a player was yellow-carded and Breakwell added to his tally with a penalty.

But the visitors showed great character, raising their game and taking a more direct approach, using their big centres to break in midfield, which allowed their forwards control.

A well-worked line-out and some neat handling from prop Craig Spencer gave second row Leigh Sugden the chance to bulldoze his way over, Brown converting.

West Leeds regained a foothold, forcing a penalty that Breakwell converted, but with time running out, Keighley threw all they had at the home defence.

Ben Blackwell broke through and looked certain to score but his pass was judged to be forward by the referee, much to the consternation of the travelling support.

Then Carter went over for his late score as Keighley fell just short – but their promotion is well-deserved reward for their hard work and commitment to attacking rugby.