Yorkshire One: Keighley 24 North Ribblesdale 10

KEIGHLEY found great difficulty subduing a very lively North Ribblesdale team but a late try from Lucas Uren secured a bonus-point victory.

The first 20 minutes were a real tussle. The hosts were intent on using their big centres to drive up the middle but Ribb were well prepared for the challenge. Their first-up tackling was superb, breaking down a number of promising attacks. Eventually, Keighley gained territorial advantage and some hard running by No 8 Leigh Sugden narrowed the defence, allowing hooker Shaun Minikin the opportunity to step outside the last defender to score, Ben Blackwell converting.

Not to be outdone, Ribb showed character to raise their game. Incisive running by their backs, well supported by an eager back row, put Keighley under extreme pressure, which led to a deserved try under the posts for No Matt Speres, outside half Michael Thwaite adding the conversion.

The last ten minutes of the half found Keighley on the back foot, resisting pressure from the young Ribb back line. The only reward for the visitors' efforts was a penalty for Thwaites.

In the second half Keighley began well, intent on moving the ball wide at every opportunity. The tactic met with little success though, the visitors' back line giving attackers little room to manoeuvre.

When they attempted to kick for position, Ribb full back Martins Bokiss was more than willing to run the ball back, gaining good ground in the process.

Although Keighley were in the ascendancy, they were too eager to chase the game, which led to handling errors.

After a frustrating ten minutes, they forced a lineout in the opposition 22. Following a catch by Stuart Inman, the pack were joined by at least four mid-field backs. The extra drive power forced the Ribb pack backwards and outside half Chris Meehan kicked wide to the far corner. Winger Joe Copperwaite, in full flight, managed a very difficult catch and squeezed in to score wide out.

With less than ten minutes remaining, Keighley now forced the pace. A quick line-out taken by Alfie Seeley to Ben Blackwell and a return pass gave full back Seeley a clear run to the line, Blackwell adding the extras.

In the dying minutes, the Utley men used yet another line-out drive involving most of the team to give wing forward Uren the chance to wriggle his way into the corner for the final bonus-point score.

Keighley's next action is on Saturday, February 11 with a trip to Old Brodleians.