Keighley Albion signed off their domestic league season cementing a fourth place spot the Premier Division in some style with a convincing demolition of league runners-up Sharlston Rovers last Saturday.
The victory should give them an ideal platform to take on this season's Premier League champions Halifax Irish in the final of the Halifax Cup, which is to be played this Saturday at Old Brodleian's RUFC, Denholme Gate Road, Hipperholme, with a kick-off at 2.30pm.
With a nightmare of a fixture pile up to contend with both sides have had to play five games in the last two weeks and it was Sharlston who looked the more jaded of the two while Albion seemed to go up a gear and put in a great display of attacking rugby.
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Andy Stokes and Darren McNulty were the stand-out players for Albion and they played a major part in the win.
The opening quarter was a close fought affair with both sides testing each other. Albion only had a two-point 20 minutes into the game.
With the Albion forwards beginning to get the advantage from the driving of Matt Mount, Scott Bellamy and Ian Spencer, Bobby Brown and Andy Bowness had the space to release Stokes and McNulty. Stokes was a constant thorn in Sharlston's side.
Bellamy and McNulty continued to dominate throughout the game and with the introduction of Gary Boocock his telling runs created the space for Stokes and McNulty to add to their try tallies.
It was unfortunate that Stokes suffered an injury which saw him leave the field of play. With Mount and Chris Atkins also adding to the try scorers Albion were well in control of the game by half-time and led the Wakefield side by 30 points.
In the second half it was more of the same as McNulty added to his try tally and Alan Muff also scored and the conversions to the tries to see Albion to a comfortable victory.
With Albion showing such fine form it couldn't have come at a better time as they prepare for the Halifax Cup final.
This is the second season in succession that Albion have reached the final and they will be hoping for a reverse of last year's result when they went down to the same opponents.
Coach Keith Dixon will be looking to his team to pick up where they left off and make it third time lucky to lift the cup as the previous finals Albion have played under Dixon has seen them come away with the runners-up medals.
The recent good form of both teams should provide an entertaining final and a coach for both players and spectators will leave the Royal Oak this Saturday at 12.30pm.
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