BOUYED by their first-round Yorkshire Shield victory at Ripon last Saturday, Keighley are under no illusions as to how difficult their first league match could be on Saturday.

They are at home to West Leeds, who finished third in Yorkshire Division Two last season behind champions Bradford Salem and West Park Leeds, who were also promoted via the play-offs.

Keighley's head coach Danny McGee said: "West Leeds (who were only four points behind West Park Leeds) were disappointed not to get promoted last season, they will be strong all around the park and have Mark Calderwood (33-year-old former England and Leeds Rhinos RL player) orchestrating their backs."

Calderwood scored 21 tries last season back at his junior rugby union club but there is a sense that Keighley may finally be denting their own reputation as slow starters.

Ripon were beaten 36-5 last weekend, and McGee said: "Numbers have been good at training, which makes both my job and that of Micky Feather (second team) a lot easier.

"Also we can see the influence of the gym that we have down at the club, with strength and conditioning coach Scott Dyson giving programmes for the players by position.

"In addition, we can also see the influence of player-coach Hamish Pratt at No 8. The lads have responded to him on and off the field, and he has that rugby mentality that all Kiwis have.

"This season we have not only started with a clean slate but we will do that every Monday, which will hopefully increase numbers at training throughout the week and increase competition for places."