Yorkshire Division One: Keighley 21 Beverley 36

KEIGHLEY’S run of three straight victories ended as they suffered their first defeat of the season.

Within the first few minutes, a break down the middle by No 8 Isaac Keighley caused problems for the home defence, and the result was a try wide out for full back Rob Smith, captain Phil Duboulay adding the difficult conversion.

Keighley were shocked into action but were unable to retain possession at the breakdown, which gave the lively Beverley backs plenty of opportunity to probe for weakness and a further try, centre James Graham rounding what was left of the defence for Duboulay to add the conversion.

The home side responded with two penalties from fly half Alex Brown but were dealt a blow just before half-time when they lost hooker Declan Hampson through injury.

To make matters worse, Beverley winger Luke Hazell broke from deep to score, full back Smith adding the extras as Duboulay had left the field.

In the second half, Keighley changed tactics, using their forwards to restrict the visitors’ possession and maintain field position.

Second-row Dan Snowden continuously drove play into Beverley territory, and eventually the ploy worked when centre Ben Blackwell forced his way over the line, Brown adding the conversion.

Not to be outdone, the Beverley forwards drove play upfield from a line-out, quick hands resulting in a simple try for Graham.

A few minutes later, Smith added a penalty to his tally after Brown was yellow-carded for a deliberate knock-on, but the home side once again raised their game, gaining a penalty for Blackwell.

Trapped in their own half, Keighley vainly attempted to run the ball out of defence but the pressure of chasing the game brought handling errors, which gave Beverley scrum half Will Harrison the opportunity to break up the undefended touchline to score, Smith adding the conversion.

The game was lost but Keighley showed character in throwing everything they had at a tiring Beverley defence.

Their good work was rewarded when Brown finished a good passage of play to score.