Keighley Academy 31 North Ribblesdale II 5

FOR the first time this season Keighley had the luxury of a full team plus substitutes and they capitalised with a comprehensive victory to make it four straight wins.

As North Ribblesdale had a lack of props, the game was played with uncontested scrums which certainly worked in the visitors' favour as Keighley’s large pack were unable to boss this particular part of the game.

Hugh Peterken opened the scoring after five minutes with a clever try finished under the sticks and Jordan Powell obliged with the extras.

For the next 25 minutes Ribblesdale looked like the better drilled team in both attack and defence, and were only kept at bay by some last-ditch defending. Peter Taylor yet again put in a great shift during this period.

The hosts suffered injuries to Martin Curr (hamstring) and Joe Emmott before, on 30 minutes, Ribblesdale opened their account with a well-worked try, the ball going through several pairs of hands.

The game then became scrappy, with a further injury to Henry Pratt and a brief bout of fisticuffs, before a Powell penalty put Keighley 10-5 up at half-time.

The second half sprang to life on 50 minutes when sub Tinashe Vambe finished a superb Danny Baines break and Powell obliged with a great conversion.

On 60 minutes Powell, having his best game in a Keighley shirt, collected his own chip over the defence to score and add the extras to make the score 24-5.

By now the introduction of Paul Sinfield had added much-needed direction and aggression to the pack, who were now directing things in the middle of the park.

Nathan Berry ensured Keighley had the last word when he crashed over at the side of the sticks and man of the match Powell converted.