Pocklington 24 Keighley 31 - This much postponed Yorkshire Shield first round tie at Pocklington was always likely to be a testing challenge. The hosts have enjoyed a successful season, currently lying in third place in Yorkshire League Two.

In the event, Keighley's superior league status and experience carried them through, but not without a few uncomfortable moments. They were never far enough ahead to be able to relax. Pocklington's strong running centres often looking capable of sparking off try scoring raids, whilst lock forwards Biggin and Atkinson regularly threatened in open play as well as in the lineouts.

The opening sallies, after a bright start by Keighley, developed into a place kicking contest with the home side's wingman Nick Bennett and Keighley's Johnny Harrison each landing a brace of penalty goals. The versatile Bennett then struck again when a smart break in mid field by centre Guy Hope created the space to enable the wing man to round the Keighley defence for a well taken try.

Keighley's response was quick and decisive, young wing man James Tillotson snapping up a loose ball and dashing 30 metres for his first try at senior level, with Harrison's conversion edging Keighley ahead for the first time.

With Leigh Sugden in commanding form, Keighley's pack increasingly took the game to the opposition, but Pocklington held firm and after Harrison and Bennett had each landed penalty goals; Keighley retained their tenuous two-point lead at half time.

Sugden was soon prominent as the second half began, driving solidly at the defence, but Keighley's case was hindered when flanker Morgan Bailey, perhaps harshly, received his weekly ten minutes rest in the sin bin for his over exuberance. Even so, the depleted pack regrouped forcing Pocklington back over their line with a 10 metre drive, for lock forward Michael Feather to secure the touchdown.

It was then Pocklington's turn to strike back, quickly taking play to the Keighley line where scrum half Graham Pickering was on hand to take advantage of Keighley's disrupted scrum to grab his side's second try.

With numbers restored by Bailey's somewhat premature return to action, Keighley's pack once more took control. Their backs however failed to exploit the hard won possession, on more than one occasion wasting clear overlaps, but still play was forced to the home line and skipper Rob Riley was bundled over for a try, again converted by Harrison.

The spirited home side once more showed its potential, with Hope finishing off a brave counter attack for the best try of the game, before Harrison's calmly taken drop goal finally sealed the issue in Keighley's favour.

Keighley travel to Middlesborough side Acklam on Saturday for their second round Yorkshire Shield tie. Backs Matthew Cox, Scott Amos and Adam Balderstone are all unavailable. Warren Knowles is at full back and Brady Godfrey at scrum half. Richard Cavender moves to the wing berth.