Keighley shut out weakened Dinnington side

In many respects, the result of this match was a foregone conclusion.

Dinnington were struggling with long-term injuries in key positions and unavailability due to work commitments.

To play a full-strength, high-flying Keighley was always going to be difficult, and so it proved.

The first half was a turgid affair, the cold and the wind seemed to affect the handling skills, this together with a strong defence caused a number of Keighley attacks to falter.

Dinnington tried hard to gain a foothold in the game prompted by the ever-alert scrum half Harry Pinder.

However, Keighley's scrum dominance and territorial pressure gave centre Adam Horsfall the chance to break through in midfield, a quick couple of passes and wing forward Adam Kemp in close support was over wide out.

Dinnington with a number of forwards playing in the back line tried hard, although they gained decent field positions they were up against a solid defence.

The mid-half stalemate was broken when centre Sean Kelly forced play deep into opposition territory.

A scrum on the Dinnington five-metre line was driven over giving number eight Tom Whyte a touchdown, converted by Alex Brown.

Dinnington battled away and once again managed to pressure the Keighley defence but errors and solid tackling limited their options.

After absorbing some pressure Keighley began to put their game together, with the forwards getting on top and quick ball from their live wire scrum half Leon Hobson-Sheriff Keighley moved the ball wide and a try for winger Alan Ebbrell.

A little later, on the stroke of half-time centre Sean Kelly also finished off a move to score.

In the second half, Keighley looked like a different team. They were able to play at a much faster pace, and the handling was much crisper.

Early attacks indicated that they were intent on keeping the ball alive at all costs.

The ability to change the point of attack at will stretched the tiring Dinnington defence, some clever interplay between backs and forwards pushed the home defence to their limits and a well-taken try in the corner for Alfie Seeley.

The pressure and style of play involved slick handling and ball to the wide open spaces which gave winger Ebbrell some space and a second try.

Dinnington to their great credit never gave up and with every player giving their all, forced Keighley back to defend their line from a number of attacks.

Unfortunately, they were up against a really good defence and their efforts came to nought.

Towards the end of the game, Seeley went on one of his mazy runs, with the defence on the back foot, the Keighley forwards took the ball on, quick hands gave Keighley captain Horsfall the chance to use his strength to drive over to score, converted by Brown.

Next weekend will be a real tester, a home game against league leaders Goole.