Second straight defeat for Keighley

KEIGHLEY'S second straight defeat has made it very much odds-against in their pursuit of Yorkshire Two leaders West Leeds.

Gaining an early scrum, Keighley drove the opposition backwards with ease, allowing number eight Josh Hannah to pick up and go. With the Pontefract defensive line in retreat, he slipped the ball to the backs, which resulted in a well-taken try in the corner for centre Ben Blackwell.

Pontefract replied within minutes, a break by full back Louis Brown leading to a simple try in the corner for winger Stewart Sanderson – and his second try, from a poor kick infield, was sandwiched by an Alex Brown penalty for the visitors.

Pontefract committed to using their main attacking weapon – the backs – and confidently moved the ball wide as often as possible, leading eventually to a penalty for outside half Glenn Boyd, before Keighley replied with a penalty of their own through Brown.

Sanderson then completed his hat-trick before Blackwell latched on to a half-break from wing forward Shaun Minikin. Beating at least three defenders, he released winger Luke Carter to score wide out.

This game was a carbon copy of their previous league encounter, with Pontefract having the more elusive backs and Keighley the stronger forwards.

But this time, instead of reverting in the second half to a more restrictive style of play based on forward power that had proved so successful in the past, Keighley chose to play a more open game and throw the ball around.

Pontefract were in their element, with their outside half and outside centre controlling the game.

Once again, poor kicking out of defence gave the hosts free ball and the chance to counter-attack through the backs, resulting in a well-taken try for man of the match centre Craig Fawcett.

Full back Louis Brown capped a fine performance, joining the line at pace to score near the posts, with Boyd converting both.

Keighley spent the last period of the half camped in opposition territory but to no avail.

The Rose Cottage side are at home to Roundhegians on Saturday.

Skipton 18 Keighley II 7

Keighley found the home side in determined form, bringing their league form into this Aire-Wharfe Cup tie.

Playing with the wind towards the cricket field, Skipton had two successful penalties to make it 6-0. Keighley had few real clear-cut chances. A minute before the break Skipton had a try ruled out for a forward pass but, seconds later, made amends with a converted try to make it 13-0 at the break.

With Skipton a man down, Keighley could still not force an advantage until good work between Neil Jordan and Jake Hill set up Cameron Bealy Kay to score under the posts, Ollie Mitchell converting. Keighley tried hard to pinch the game but too many errors saw the home side score the winning try to advance in the cup, with the visitors dropping into the plate competition.