A poor reward for a lot of endeavour, previously undefeated Keighley had to be satisfied with a losing bonus point against Old Rishworthian in Counties One Yorkshire.

They could easily have won the game, but conceded a late try to lose 24-20, dropping to fifth in the process.

The first half was an excellent contest between two well-matched teams, both of which were intent on well-constructed open rugby.

Rishworthians, with a talented outside-half in Rangi Kul, moved the ball well, seeking out any Keighley weaknesses.

An early drive down the middle from the forwards forced Keighley to narrow their defence, giving solid full-back Anthony Sellers the space to score in the corner, with the try converted by Kul.

After Keighley wasted an attacking line out, the home team kicked their way out of danger.

They moved play upfield and earned a penalty in the process, with sure-footed Kul taking the points on offer.

With their tails up and a 10-point lead, Rishworthians became perhaps too adventurous in dangerous positions.

A poor pass was picked off by Keighley winger Sam Blakeley, with Alex Brown closing the gap to 10-8 with a well-struck penalty.

Although both teams had periods of good field position and possession, Rishworthians looked more dangerous, always prepared to move the point of contact.

Eventually their slight of hand paid off, as Kul popped a short pass to wing forward Jacob Bower, who raced away to score, Kul adding the conversion to put his side 17-8 ahead.

In the second half Keighley looked a different team, with the back row gaining dominance, especially in the scrum.

The extra intensity kept Rishworthians trapped in their half. However, the pressure was not turned into points initially, as a number of try scoring opportunities went begging through lack of composure.

With the forwards turning the screw, something had to give, and with Rishworthians forced to defend the midfield, they conceded space on the outside to allow a second try for winger Blakeley.

The process was repeated a little later when winger Alan Ebbrell broke away to score, with Brown adding the conversion to put his side 20-17 ahead.

Finally in the lead and dominating play, Keighley made the mistake of run slow ball in midfield.

The Rishworthian defence was on the front foot and a long pass was intercepted by their veteran winger Anthony Shoesmith, who raced in under the posts, Kul adding the valuable conversion to give his side a four-point lead.

With time running out, the Keighley forwards once again worked hard to gain field position.

Near the opposition line, they drove a scrum forward, looking for a pushover try.

Unfortunately it disintegrated and a prop had to go off injured, which meant uncontested scrums.

Almost on the whistle, Keighley gained a five-metre line out, but a poor misdirected throw was lost and the game ended in defeat for them.