Methley Royals 12 Keighley Albion 18

A FANTASTIC display saw Albion through to the next round of the BARLA National Cup after dispatching a Methley Royals side four divisions above them in the Pennine League. Defence was certainly a major facet in Keighley’s victory, with quick line speed and big hits a main feature in the early stages, although the home team gave as good as they got. Albion thought they were over when Reece Robertson took Jamie Stephenson’s pass to cross but this was judged forward.

It did not take the visitors long to register the first score, though, when Robertson chased a long kick from Connor Meegan and capitalised on an error to canter over. Alfie Seeley added the extras.

Albion were then put on the back foot by being unable to control possession and they were on the wrong end of the referee’s decisions but reached half-time in front.

Despite playing downhill, Albion had to deal with a strong wind and a sluggish start saw their Division One hosts draw level after their prop crashed through.

But Keighley were not there just to make up the numbers and some swift attacks gained good field possession. After one sortie, 17-year-old Meegan darted between defenders and stretched over for his first open-age try.

Seeley again converted and then his superb break led to the ball being moved wide to Robertson who, despite a great number of defenders, managed to get the ball down for another try.

A Methley defender suffered a serious injury in trying to prevent the score, causing a 30-minute delay. Upon the resumption Seeley was unable to convert from out wide.

However, Albion thought they had sealed the game when Seeley chipped through, putting Jamie Hodgson clear, only for him to be pulled up for offside.

It was a let-off for Methley and they took advantage when Albion’s only really porous effort allowed the hosts' prop to bulldoze his way through, cutting the deficit to just four points.

Albion dug deep with stout defence and, after superb breaks from Meegan and Alex Young, the visitors forced a penalty under the sticks which Seeley converted to secure their most eye-catching victory since reforming in the summer.

With a mixture of experience and youth all to the fore, Albion will be confident of progressing once again when they visit Halifax Irish in the next round a week on Saturday. They are due to visit Hollinwood in Division Five this Saturday.