Yorkshire One: Keighley 23 Hullensians 21

A PENALTY at the death from stand-in kicker Joe Copperwaite halted a four-match losing streak for Keighley.

The Rose Cottage side returned to winning ways after a hard-fought victory over a tough Hullensians team, who made their first ever trip to Utley.

The visitors were first out of the blocks, dominating possession for the first ten minutes. Speedy interplay between forwards and backs caused the Keighley defence problems but some excellent first-up tackling allowed them to weather the storm.

The hosts got back into the game when an attack down the middle was halted by a trip which led to a yellow card, and they took advantage when winger Copperwaite scored wide out.

With Alex Brown out with an injured leg, Copperwaite took over kicking duties but his conversion attempt drifted wide.

As often happens, the scoring team relaxed, which gave speedy Hullensian wing forward Ollie Dynan chance to attack. He raced in from 40 metres to score in the corner before outside half Lewis Baldwin added the difficult conversion.

With their forwards working hard, Keighley put pressure on the contact area which gave their backs chance to put some plays together.

Centres Ben Blackwell and Adam Horsfall made ground down the middle of the field. Quick recycled ball and a clever kick from outside half Rob Wilkinson was chased down by winger Luke Carter, who took advantage of a defensive fumble to put full back Alfie Seeley over for a well-taken try under the posts, Copperwaite converting.

Hullensians changed tack and exerted pressure up front, which paid dividends. From a line-out they drove forward for hooker Andy Vernon to score, Baldwin converting.

A yellow card for a Keighley player gave Hullensians the opportunity to make ground. A scrum near the home line was driven forward for flanker Dynan to gain his second try, once again converted by Baldwin.

Keighley, with forwards Tom Lowther, Dan Snowden and Leigh Sugden making the hard yards, began to dominate territory and the pressure was turned into points when Copperwaite landed a penalty. With time running out, Keighley moved the ball wide to give winger Carter the chance to score in the corner.

It looked as if it would be the final play of the match and a losing bonus point for the hosts.

However, from the kick-off Keighley maintained possession through sheer grit and determination and took play into the Hullensian half.

An indiscretion at a ruck by a defender led to a penalty, which Copperwaite coolly landed to clinch victory for Keighley.

The Utley men are at home to second-placed West Leeds on Saturday.