Burnley XV 29 Keighley President's XV 36

FIELDING a squad with four first-team players, eight Stags, eight Academy players and head coach Danny McGee, Keighley claimed a narrow victory in the second annual War of the Roses game between the clubs.

On a cold but pleasant day, the Utley men started well and soon scored through outside centre Alfie Seeley, who cut though to score after only six minutes, full back Oli Mitchell converting.

With Chris Meehan orchestrating the play from fly half – showing the skill and foresight for which he became famous for in his earlier years – the visitors were 24-0 up after 30 minutes with two more tries.

Meehan got one and the other came from loosehead prop turned hooker for the day, Andy Heys. The former typified his skill as he dummied his way over without a finger being laid on him and the latter's score came as a result of a rolling maul.

Two conversions and a penalty from Mitchell made up the remaining scores but Burnley never gave up and their heavy pack were causing Keighley plenty of problems. Their persistence led to a try two minutes before half-time.

After the break, a rejuvenated Burnley ran riot as they scored three tries in the first 13 minutes. With two conversions, they were able to draw level at 24-24, as Keighley introduced more Academy players.

The visitors regrouped as Mitchell gathered a speculative kick in his own half, broke left and fed Seeley, who sidestepped his way over the whitewash to score his second try with 15 minutes left. Mitchell converted to restore the seven-point lead.

But Burnley were not finished and drove their way up field, their auburn-haired centre showing plenty of skill and determination which led to them camping on their opponents' try line. More forward pressure saw them score after 37 minutes but it was too far out for their kicker to convert.

In the final stages, Hamish Pratt appeared to be felled but quickly rose like a phoenix to dive over and score to end a good festive game of rugby watched by 100 spectators. The majority were from Keighley, who all retired to the warmth of the clubhouse for liquid refreshment.

Hopefully, the third annual encounter will take place next Christmas at Utley.

Keighley President's XV: Joe Kaye, Andy Heys, Dave Smith, Nigel Curr, Josh Chippendale, Hamish Pratt, Joe Emmott, Sean Everett, Jonny Clarke, Chris Meehan, Alan Ebbrell, Danny McGee, Alfie Seeley, Liam Everett, Oli Mitchell. Reps: Mark Symes, Paul Sinfield, Peter Watson, Mark Kelly, Tom Whitehead, James Morton.