WITH a powerful pack, a half-back partnership that has plenty of nous and a better overall fitness regime, Keighley are climbing the SSE Yorkshire Division Two table.

From a low base of five defeats in their first six matches, when Kevin Young’s side were having to fit square pegs into round holes and only collected eight league points, they have gathered 34 from their last 12 to rise to sixth.

“It is really pleasing,” said head coach Young, “and the improved fitness has been a big factor.

“We are getting a lot down to training, they are getting fitter and we are winning matches, which becomes a self-perpetuating thing.

“The opening of the gym at the club has created a bit of a buzz and the pack are now our main weapon.

“It has also helped to keep a settled side but it doesn’t seem to matter which forwards we bring on, there’s no lessening in impact.

“Also Dave Needham is gaining knowledge steadily at scrum half.

“He isn’t going to run 90 metres to score a try but he bosses the forwards around and is only going to get better.

“Rob Wilkinson, who pulled a hamstring in our 22-3 home win over Old Rishworthians last Saturday, is also doing really well in what has probably been his longest run of games in the side.

“And we are blessed to be able to bring Alex Brown up from full back now that Rob is likely to be missing for two matches.”

Keighley beat Saturday’s opponents Ripon 63-38 at Rose Cottage in October – a match that kick-started Keighley’s revival – but Young has warned that his team can’t just turn up expecting to win at the third-from-bottom team as they are young, improving and capable of scoring points.

1st XV v RIPON (Yorkshire Two) AWAY KO 2:15pm, meet noon (coach). O Mitchell; Ja Atkinson, A Ebbrell, D McGee, L Carter; A Brown, D Needham, C Spencer, W Armitage, D Smith, M Hagyard, L Sugden, T Lowther, S Minikin, J Hannah. Rep: L Everett, D Drake, S Booker.