Yorkshire Merit League West: Keighley Academy 46 Baildon Seconds 10

KEIGHLEY made the most of this opportunity to get back to winning ways against local rivals Baildon.

With the weather having a definite wintry feel, it was going to be the team that adapted best to the conditions who would get the upper hand.

After ten minutes Keighley were punished after a handling error in their own 20, which gave Baildon possession and an opportunity to strike first with an unconverted try.

On 15 minutes the hosts were next to take advantage of sloppy handling. A loose ball was hacked forward and chased by the alert Adam Smith, who scored at the side of the posts. Mick Phillips' conversion gave Keighley a 7-5 advantage.

On the half-hour mark Sam Walker stretched Keighley's lead through a well-taken try which he converted himself. He also kicked over a penalty to give the Academy a 17-5 advantage.

However, on the stroke of half-time a defensive lapse in the home defence saw Baildon score their second try to make it 17-10 at the break.

The second half started brightly for Keighley and they were soon rewarded after good handling from Walker and Pala released Connor Meegan to evade the defence and score at the side of the posts. Walker tagged on the extras.

Keighley were starting to control the game, with the forwards laying a solid platform for the backs. Phillips, who was enjoying a move into the back row, was next to capitalise with an angled crash ball which sent him clear to score an unconverted try.

Keighley continued to pile more misery on a Baildon defence weakened by injuries. Lewis Kemp crowned a fine man-of-the-match performance with a well-taken try taking the lead to 34-10.

With confidence high, Keighley were playing an expansive game despite the poor conditions. More fast hands gave Jack Carter a well-deserved try in the corner.

Keighley capped off a superb team performance with a converted Nick Holroyd try.