Keighley Albion u15s 24

Cottingham Tigers u15s 18

KEIGHLEY Albion Under-15s sprung the biggest shock of Division Three this season with a come-from-behind win against previously-unbeaten leaders Cottingham Tigers.

The win may have come as a surprise to many, however, this Albion team on its day, is more than a match for anybody in this league and this performance was chalk compared to last week's cheese against Shaw Cross.

Starting playing uphill, a back to back set led to the visitors taking the lead however Albion forced an error from the kick-off and after some good ball movement Evan Jones found the returning Connor Clarkson on the crash to score.

Despite defending well, Albion were getting their numbering wrong on their left edge leading to an overlap score from the Tigers, but Albion came back brilliantly and Jones dummied before finding a route to the line to touch down.

Albion kept pushing hard but Cottingham touched down when keeping the ball alive to lead by six at the break.

Beginning the second half, Albion had to contend with a strong start which saw the visitors stretch out their lead however this only served to roar Albion on with backs and forwards combining to make multiple surges.

This led to Ben McParland coming back against the grain to find Clarkson who powered over.

From the kick-off Clarkson burst the line straight from kick-off and Albion kept the pressure on before Jones, Reece Smollen and McParland all played their part in putting Billy Lee clear to canter under the sticks, where Harrison Clamp converted to give the hosts the lead for the first time.

But Albion were not done there and more expansive play saw Clamp fire out a long ball to Clarkson to again apply the cutting edge and complete his hat-trick.

Albion had to withstand a late period of pressure but deservedly held on to claim the spoils.

In a fantastic team effort, the entire squad put in a great shift which can only bode well for the remaining games ahead.

Meanwhile, young rugby league hopefuls played at Cougar Park as part of the curtain-raiser for Keighley Cougars' clash with London Skolars.

Keighley Albion Under-6s played against Silsden Storm u7s, while Keighley Albion's u7s encountered West Bowling u7s.

A total of 40 children took part, all aged seven or under, in matches livestreamed on the Our League website.

They were treated to a full tour of the stadium, met the players, played on the pitch and got to be mascots.

Keighley Albion's junior coach Rob Spencer said: “It’s a great experience to play on the same pitch as the professionals.

“It really helps engage them in rugby league.

“We’ve had a half-time event at Headingley last weekend for Leeds Rhinos v Catalans – great for me, let alone them.”

James Feather, a former Albion Juniors player now at Cougars and in the Hall of Fame - is evidence that these ventures do succeed.