Keighley Albion u-12s 18 King Cross Park u-12s 12

ALBION recorded their first ever victory over King Cross Park at this age group with a victory which was in the balance at the end, though their dominance should have seen them win more comfortably.

They opened the scoring when the ball was moved wide to Caleb McConville, who put Billy Lee through a gap and his speed saw him race clear.

Albion’s next try came from some scintillating ball movement which ended with Lewis Bloodworth unselfishly giving Henry Thirkill a walk-in score, McConville converting.

The away team came out with more intent down the slope in the second half but enterprising play saw Albion touch down out wide, with Freddie Gape supplying the final pass to James Sabin for his first try for the club.

King Cross responded with back-to-back converted scores to bring themselves within two points.

Some stoic defence deep in King Cross territory saw Keighley retrieve the ball and it was left to opposition man of the match Lee to score a more robust finish close to the line to seal the points.

Albion’s next fixture is a home league tie against Drighlington, who they will be looking to turnover after recently suffering an agonising defeat to them.

Keighley Albion u-14s 10 Oulton Raiders u-14s 22

Keighley came up against unbeaten Oulton Raiders for the second time in three weeks and, despite putting on a competitive display, the outcome was the same.

However, during a faultless opening period it was Albion who looked the better side. They took the lead when Josh Whitcombe received a long pass on the wing to beat the cover and touch down.

It was no more than Albion deserved, but then errors crept in which Oulton punished.

The visitors ran in four tries but, with conversions being missed, Albion remained in with a chance.

Then with ten minutes to go Whitcombe took advantage of an Oulton knock-on to cross the line. He was held up but received the ball again to make no mistake and reduce the deficit to just six points.

That was as close as Albion came, with Oulton finally adding a converted try to seal victory.

Match awards went to Morgan Mirzaali, Harry Emmott and Xander McConville.