Halifax Irish 16, Keighley Town 21 - Keighley Town travelled to Halifax and turned hard work and team spirit into two valuable league points. The win was one of Town's best of the season, against a strong Irish side that will not drop many home league points this year. The win was carved from good discipline and defence that was at times quite brutal.

Town won the toss, and elected to play uphill in the first half against the elements and slope. They started well, and began to force early mistakes from the Irish. Brothers Darren and Rocky McNulty combined early to put the first scores on the board. Man of the match Rocky burst into a gap and was supported by brother Darren to score next to the posts. Centre Muff converted.

Irish responded to the try and tried to hit back straight away, but Town's defence was too strong up front. Led by hooker Quinton Sneyd, Town stood firm and the Irish could not find a break through. Half-backs Kennedy and Shaw combined well to create space for the backs, as the forwards worked desperately hard to provide the platform needed. Winger Harry Burns made some telling breaks, but was unable to convert the pressure into tries.

The Irish levelled the scores after 20 minutes, with a good hookers try from close range. But this seemed to spur Town on more. They pressured Irish immediately and carved out a chance for winger Danny Barrett who used all his weight to power over in the corner. Town's momentum continued and they kept Irish chances to a minimum. Big defensive performances from James Shaw and Ian Barnes kept Town in front fir the majority of the first half.

But the luck of the Irish told on the stroke of Half Time as they crossed for a converted try that saw them go into the break 12-10. Town did not deserve to be trail, but with the slope in the favour in the second half they had to feel confident enough to go on and win the match. They started at a ferocious pace and soon began to create openings again. Good handling from Centre's Muff and McNulty saw winger Barrett cross unchallenged for his second try of the game. The conversion put Town 16-12 up.

From the kick-off Town went straight up the other end of the park and Darren McNulty converted a drop goal. Irish could not get into Town's half, and found it difficult to carve any good chances. Town tried to kill off the game with a big defensive effort, but to Irish's credit they produce a last effort to score an unconverted try and leave the tie finely balanced in Town's favour.

Town did not panic, they were by far the better team and probed the tiring Irish side. Alan Muff punished the ill-discipline with two penalties with five minutes to go.

n This weekend Town face an equally tough tie as they travel to Brighouse Rangers.