West Bowling A u-13s 16 Keighley Albion u-13s 4

ALBION lost for the third game in succession against an improved West Bowling team who were far too consistent for the erratic visitors.

After allowing Bowling to break, Keighley conceded a penalty and an early unconverted try. Albion’s cause was not helped in the build-up when Riley Corby, their defensive lynchpin, had to leave with a head injury.

Caleb McConville’s superb restart gave Albion great field position but, after Matt Tindale was denied by a high tackle, they inexcusably dropped the ball at the resulting penalty with a massive overlap.

Despite some terrific angles from Ben McParland and a neat break from Nat Taylor from acting half, Albion’s defensive rearguard was breached again as West stretched into an 8-0 lead at the break.

Bowling scored again but did not convert, meaning the visitors remained in the dog fight. Reece Smollen and McConville created the space for Billy Lee to canter clear but unusually he did not finish the job due to the hosts' determination to prevent their line being breached.

Bowling put the game to bed before Albion gained a consolation when some good set-up play saw Smollen’s superb cut-out ball give Lee the room to canter in from 40 metres out.

There was still time for an unbelievable cover tackle from McConville but Albion were well beaten.

Lee, McParland and Taylor were picked out by the hosts as the top performers. Albion will look to go again this week against Cutsyke at home in their battle to avoid the drop.