Battling Keighley just fail to gain bonus point (From Keighley News)

Battling Keighley just fail to gain bonus point

6:00pm Sunday 7th October 2012 in Sport By Sam Griffin

Keighley 14, Sheffield 23

Keighley started well in this SSE North One East clash, with Scott Dyson, playing at scrum half, causing great difficulties for the opposition defence.

After weathering sustained Keighley pressure, Sheffield managed to take play into the Keighley 22, where hooker and captain Carl Mortimer scrabbled over for a dubious try.

Returning to the attack, Keighley, favouring their forwards, were rewarded with a try for flanker Smith Brown, Alex Brown landing the conversion.

As the half-time whistle approached, Sheffield’s outside half Mark Ireland landed a penalty to regain the lead for the visitors.

In the second half, Sheffield upped their work rate and the pressure eventually told, leading to a further penalty for Ireland.

Although Keighley battled hard, they were unable to break down a stubborn defence.

Sheffield, unable to make inroads in midfield, chose to kick deep into the corners.

At an ensuing line-out, Keighley allowed Sheffield’s Chris Dale to take the ball unopposed and stroll over for a try.

Using their Kicking game to full advantage, Sheffield forced Keighley back into their half, and after some forward drives, second row Dean O’Brian squeezed over, converted by Ireland.

Keighley, with nothing to lose, opened the game up with some excellent handling and it resulted in a try for supporting full back Danny McGee, converted by Alex Brown.

In the final minutes, Keighley pressured the Sheffield line, hoping to gain a losing bonus point, but their efforts went unrewarded.