Keighley 31 Selby 17

THE old adage ‘a game of two halves’ fitted this game perfectly.

In the first half Keighley were dominant, with Stuart Inman and Smith Brown in control at the lineout and, with a solid scrum, there was no holding them. The first try came from outside half Alex Brown carving his way through the defence to score under the posts. He also added the conversion.

Selby, forced to kick out of defence, failed to find touch on a number of occasions, which allowed full back Alfie Seeley and winger Joe Copperwaite the opportunity to attack down the wing. One such move was finished off with a try for centre Rob Wilkinson.

Alfie Seeley crossed the line next after a neat passage of play initiated by centre Ben Blackwell, Alex Brown converting. Although Selby stuck to their task, they were outplayed, and found it difficult to cope with counter-attacking play.

Yet another run by Joe Copperwaite took play to the line and second row Smith Brown was on hand to finish off under the posts, Alex Brown adding the extras.

Towards the end of the half, Selby’s enterprise was rewarded with a well-taken try for full back Scott Hunt, who also added the conversion.

In the second half, with the game in the bag and a four-try bonus point, Keighley lost their sense of purpose.

They were unable to put any phases together, lacked composure and were willing to concede possession and territory. With Selby in the ascendency it was stalemate in the midfield.

Surviving on scraps of possession, it was something of a surprise when the ball was moved quickly across the backs, giving Keighley’s winger Copperwaite the chance to score wide out.

Selby playing with a great deal of pride and ample possession, mounted wave after wave of attacks which eventually broke down the Keighley defence and resulted in well-taken tries for winger Scott Adamson and scrum half Danny Wilkinson.