KEIGHLEY Albion Blacks Under-14s managed to get their Yorkshire Juniors Division Two home game against Hunslet Warriors on, and they were rewarded with a fine 22-8 victory on the opening day.

The game started off steady but with a few handling errors, owing to some off-season rust.

Hunslet had a big side, but Albion's line speed and tackling technique negated that perfectly on Sunday.

The hosts quickly became the dominant team, with the likes of Kyle Horne, Brody Leach and the Denton twins, Isaac and Cobi, making real progress with their runs.

Keighley's first try came courtesy of Jack Beck, who sneaked in at close quarters for a great hooker's try.

Joe Priestley was excelling through the middle for Albion, and with the opposition on the back foot, Leach scored the home side's next try, as he breezed in from 30 meters out to drive over, with three would be tacklers on him.

Charlie Savage converted that, but despite little Sammy Wild showing his talent with the boot too, Keighley let up towards the end of the half and allowed Hunslet to score two tries.

The first came from some good play by the visitors but the second was down to a ball steal on Albion's own try line.

The second half saw a great defensive display from Keighley though, as they didn’t allow the visitors to score at all.

The spine of the team, Savage, Jack Hewitt, Fernando Casas Arrojo, Wild and Beck were really strong in attack too, with Casas Arrojo making a real difference when he came on from the bench.

The first try of the half came from a sweeping left to right movement, with ‘new boy’ winger Rufus Newman gliding in at the corner. Savage's conversion took the score to 16-8.

Hunslet then threatened as Albion sat back somewhat in the following 10 minutes, but Isaac Denton decided to break the shackles, and managed to scored a spectacular solo try from 60 metres out.

He beat at least four defenders with his stunning run, and the conversion by Savage completed the scoring, with the game ending 22-8 to the hosts.

Casas Arrojo picked up the Players/Coaches Man of the Match award, while Wild was the opposition's choice.

It was a great way to start this year's campaign for Albion and the result was particularly pleasing, given that this was a relatively easy victory over a Hunslet team that they struggled against last year.

There is already some talk of Keighley being title contenders but this Sunday's away game at Normanton Knights will prove a real acid test.

The Knights clash could well prove to be Albion's toughest encounter this season. They will need their forwards to be firing on all cylinders as the backs won't beat them alone.

Mental toughness and physical toughness will be necessary, along with staying switched on for the full game.

BY PAUL SIMON