Keighley Albion u-14s 30 Lock Lane u-14s 8

FACED with the demanding prospect of playing their fourth game in only nine days, Keighley Albion unexpectedly turned in a five-star display to return to winning ways following a mid-week Halifax Cup defeat at Siddal.

Second-placed Lock Lane, who had only lost one game this season, stormed into the lead within seconds of the kick-off from a long solo run.

However, from then on it was Albion who looked the more enterprising and they quickly levelled through Josh Whitcombe.

Then with half-time approaching, and in what will arguably rank as team try of the season, Harley Robertshaw cleverly retained possession from a kick forward to feed Matty Smith, whose own intelligent kick into space enabled the alert Will Hartley to win the race for the ball and put Albion in front.

With Harry Webster evading defenders to also cross the line, it gave Albion the luxury of a 14-4 interval lead.

In the second half, Albion’s excellent all-round play gave Lock Lane no opportunity to stage a come-back. Webster and Whitcombe both found room down the left to get round the visitors’ defensive cover and extend the lead to 20 points.

It was into added time before Lock Lane managed their second try and there was still time for Hartley to collect Joel Livock’s short kick-off and dance through a bemused defence to complete an outstanding performance.

Individual match awards were won by Matty Smith and Hartley.

West Leeds u-12s 24 Keighley Albion u-12s 12

Albion were in front going into the last ten minutes but the weight of possession and territory was too much for them to hold out against the unbeaten Division Two leaders.

The hosts moved the ball at pace but Albion’s defence swamped them out wide, leading to Ben McParland intercepting on half way and having too much pace for the cover, with Josh Dickerson adding the extras.

The game was played at a frenetic pace, with both team's half-backs ensuring the ball saw plenty of air. West Leeds' stand-off broke through close to the line to level the score.

Albion were not overawed and superb hands from Reece Smollen and McParland sent Freddie Gape clear, who was tackled close to the line. Dickerson dummied his way over and added a fine conversion to leave Albion in front at the break.

Keighley made a poor start to the second half when a knock-on led to the hosts scoring off a scrum. Despite some heroic Keighley defence, West Leeds moved into a two-point advantage with a score out wide. With time running out, the hosts added two further scores in the last two minutes to give the result a lop-sided look.

Keighley's effort cannot be faulted but they now know the standard they have to reach. Caleb McConville took the opposition award for his great yards from full back and last-ditch try-saving tackles.