Dinnington 26 Keighley 0

KEIGHLEY crashed to a heavy away defeat in their second Yorkshire Division One clash of the season.

Keighley started well and gained a series of good field positions they were unable to capitalise on it.

Dinnington, with probably the biggest pack in the league, were intent on using their forward strength to full advantage.

At the scrums Keighley, probably two stones a man lighter, were put to the sword.

The pressure allowed the opposition time on the ball and outside-half Jonny West was able to kick into the corners, allowing the big boys chance to play their direct style of rugby.

After 15 minutes the pressure told, a scrum followed by a driving maul and a try for forward Steve Leitch.

Keighley raised their game and through good handling and the use of the wide channels camped in Dinnington’s 22-metre area.

However, on four occasions, the advantage was taken away through poor line-out play, which was followed by kicks deep into their territory.

After yet another retreating scrum, centre Oliver Williamson took a pop pass at pace to crash over the try-line, converted by West.

Once again, Keighley were able to move the ball away from the forwards and some good skills from full-back Duxbury and winger Josh Slingsby took the play upfield.

Unfortunately, poor execution at critical times let them down. Trapped in their own half Keighley succumbed to a quick tap penalty from second row Robert Goodwin. West added the difficult conversion.

In the second-half, with the advantage of the slope and the wind, Keighley started reasonably well, but slow ball and driving rain gave strong centres Sean Kelly and Adam Horsfall little chance to break a resolute defence.

Eventually Dinnington gained ground and a powerful drive gave wing forward Michael Leitch an easy score, converted by West. Keighley showing character stuck at it and came close to scoring but were unable to escape the grip of the dominant opposition pack.