Keighley 13, West Leeds 19

This was a good performance for an under-strength Keighley against a side who finished third in Yorkshire Division Two last season.

West Leeds started well, only stalwart defence keeping them out, but the hosts lost fly half Rob Wilkinson to a head injury after just eight minutes.

Although both teams were well matched in scrum and line-out, West Leeds were controlling the breakdown area well, either winning quick ball or slowing down Keighley’s possession, forcing them to kick for field position.

One such kick fell into the hands of full back Tom Phillips, who broke out of defence, quick hands finding Jack Marshall in support for a try under the posts, fellow winger Keir Breakwell adding the conversion.

Keighley responded well, some surging runs from centres Ben Blackwell and Alan Ebbrell forcing the West Leeds defence into mistakes, giving scrum half Alex Brown an easy penalty to make the half-time score 7-3.

In the second half, West Leeds continued to exert pressure through short forward drives, followed by quick ball through the backs.

Keighley had their fair share of possession. However, more often than not they were forced to operate with slow ball, again because of the pressure exerted at the breakdown.

Blackwell and Brown had a number of good runs, well supported by the forwards, but were unable to break down a good defence.

Slowly West Leeds began to get the upper hand, and once again quick ball gave Phillips the opportunity to score wide out, and he was again on the scoresheet when he latched onto a dubious pass to cross between the posts, Breakwell converting.

Keighley, with the game slipping away from them, upped their game and a break out of defence by lock Sean Everett, supported by No 8 Hamish Pratt, led to a well-taken try in the corner for winger Luke Carter.

With an upserge in confidence and staying power, Keighley pressed hard, excellent slick handling giving centre Alan Ebbrell the opportunity to dive over in the corner, and a losing bonus point was just reward for a competitive home side.