Keighley romp to huge Counties One Yorkshire win over Roundhegians

The 11-try victory gives Dan McGee's side a two-point cushion over Goole at the summit, while the day was a personal triumph for ever-reliable kicker Alex Brown, who landed every conversion, three of which were from the touchline.

Visitors Roundhegians started the game brightly and an early foray led to a penalty that was converted by their outside-half Alex Jones.

Keighley slowly got into their rhythm, their strong front five and marauding back row causing havoc in midfield.

A break by Keighley captain Adam Horsfall was continued by back row Max Wild, who found full back Alan Ebbrell in support for a well-taken try that was converted by Brown.

A pattern began to develop, with the home forwards driving the attack and providing quick ball, which allowed half-backs Brown and Leon Hobson-Sheriff to mount waves of flowing back play.

Full-back Ebbrell was intent on joining the back line, which gained him two further converted tries.

Roundhegians worked hard to stem the flow and they had the tools, with pace in the back line especially on the wings, and second row Matthew Higgins proving a handful with ball in hand.

They forced play into Keighley territory and came up with a well-earned try for busy wing forward Daniel McWilliams, which was converted by Jones.

Towards the end of the half, Keighley centre Jak Adams broke through the defence to send winger Sam Blakeley in at the corner, Brown nailing the tricky extras.

In the second half, with nothing to lose, Roundhegians threw everything they had at Keighley and soon went over to score through outside-half Jones, who also added the conversion.

That score gave them a new lease of life, which led to wingers Himoonga Miyambo and Elliot Jackson causing difficulties to the home defence, with only last minute try-saving tackles keeping them out.

Keighley absorbed that pressure, before some outstanding work from their forwards, especially hooker Dec Hampson, took play deep into opposition territory.

Good lineout play was driven towards the line, with powerful prop Sam Booker breaking off the drive to dive over in the corner, Brown converting impressively.

Now with a comfortable scoreline cushion, Keighley opted for all-out attack.

Ebbrell, who was playing some sensational rugby, kicked long out of defence, chased and caught the ball, then delivered a perfect pass to supporting centre Horsfall for a score wide out.

Once again, Brown added the very difficult conversion to keep his personal tally for the day ticking over nicely.

Roundhegians put some good pieces of play together but the solid home defence was too strong.

A further attack from Keighley, utilising both forwards and backs, was finished off by number eight Tom Whyte, with the golden boot of Brown once again adding the extra points.

Thanks to good, quick possession on the front foot, the strong running Keighley centres were in their element, as burly centre Adams drove his way over for two further tries, Brown converting both.

Soon after, second rower Jordan Yaxley showed real pace when he galloped through the defence to score yet another converted try.

Roundhegians, who have lost every league game this season, never gave in, and a break out of defence gave their wing forward McWilliams his second try, which was converted by Jones.

The final flourish from Keighley came via a break down the middle by the Keighley centres, leading to yet another try for outside centre Adams, which was of course converted by Brown.

After a scintillating attacking display from Keighley, they will be licking their lips ahead of their upcoming clash on Saturday at West Leeds, who have only won three of their 13 league games so far this season.