Featherstone Lions u-14s 16 Keighley Albion u-14s 18

ALBION kicked off their league campaign with a nail-biting win and made a great start after good play between Bobby Darbyshire and Ethan Lawrie saw Lawrie hit the gap to take Albion deep into the Featherstone half.

Half-back Kobe O’Brien worked the ball right and some slick passing saw centre Harry Normington put his winger Riley Wilson in at the right corner but the try was disallowed for a forward pass.

More expansive rugby saw Normington touch down and then Myles Etienne also went over down the right hand side as Albion led 8-6 at the break.

Lawrie was rewarded as his powerful running saw him break through to touch down. Featherstone rallied and were camped in the Albion half for most of the second half.

Despite some great defence, Featherstone crossed for two tries to lead 16-12 with only minutes left.

In the closing stages Albion fought back as Harry Lewis looked like he would go over but was tackled just short of the line.

In the next Albion set, a great scoot from Joel Waddington took Albion out of their half.

Further drives by Lewis and Lawrie set the platform for O’Brien to make a barn-storming run through a number of defenders to touch down and level the scores. Lawrie stepped up and slotted the goal over to seal his side’s first win of the season.

Lawrie, Darbyshire, O’Brien and Lewis shone for Albion but the whole team deserve the plaudits.

Odsal Sedbergh u-10s 30 Keighley Albion u-10s 18

Albion showed glimpses of what they are all about as they gave a Odsal a much tougher game.

Two weeks ago in a friendly Odsal won 64-26 but Keighley had a much-improved defence, thanks to Jack Waddington and Jacob Haigh tackling hard.

The try of the game had to be from Albion’s Finley Lynam, who charged through from 20 metres, carrying four Odsal boys on his back to score a great first try.

Keighley showed great attacking play, with other tries from Robson Weir, Lucas Evans, Shaun Smith and Ellis Sands. Conversions came from Weir and Jimmy Young.

Awards, Man of match – Ellis Sands; Opposition man of match and magic moment – Finley Lynam; Top tackler – Jacob Haigh; Most improved – Harry Benn.

Keighley Albion u-8s 44 Illingworth u-8s 24

Albion played some super rugby to defeat Illingworth, with Jack Throup putting in a man of the match performance along with two tries.

Ben Horsfield crossed for a hat-trick of tries with a brace from the impressive Alfie McGrace.

Other tries came from Sonnie Anderson, Hamza Butt and Ellis Thackrah, plus a first for the club from Alex Walton.

Albion’s defence was superb, with Sonnie Anderson outstanding.