Yorkshire Shield: Ripon 5, Keighley 36

THIS resounding first-round victory was an impressive opening to the campaign for Keighley.

However, the first half looked very much like an early-season game, with plenty of endeavour let down by poor handling skills.

As the half progressed, though, Keighley began to take control up front, which allowed their backs to test out the opposition.

A quickly taken tap penalty by inspirational player-coach Hamish Pratt caught the Ripon defence off guard and resulted in a try wide out for outside half Alex Brown.

A little later, a powerful surge in midfield by centre Ben Blackwell was carried on at pace by Josh Hannah, and neatly finished off by Brown, scrum half Olly Mitchell adding the conversion.

Keighley were a different side in the second half, and with plenty of possession from a solid scrum and line-out, they were able to pressure Ripon into mistakes, Mitchell turning that into points with a well-struck penalty.

With their forwards now in control and the back row of Shaun Minikin, Tom Lowther and Pratt imposing themselves at the breakdown, Ripon were finding the going difficult.

Excellent ball retention from Keighley forced Ripon to defend close to the contact area, which gave Brown the time and space to score his third try, Mitchell converting.

Although Ripon had their moments, they were more often than not forced to operate behind the gain line under serious pressure from the big Keighley centres Blackwell and Adam Horsfall.

A mistake in midfield allowed Keighley’s second row Hannah to intercept and run 50 metres to the posts, Mitchell adding the extras, and Keighley finished their scoring with a typical forwards' try for No 8 Pratt, who touched down after a strong line-out drive.

Mitchell landed the difficult conversion but, as the game neared a close, Ripon forced themselves back into the game.

On two occasions they came very near to scoring.

However, Keighley’s last line of defence, full back Liam Everett, managed to thwart their efforts.

Ripon maintained their pressure, however, and a spell of crisp handling was finished off in the corner by winger Ben Buckley.