Old Brodleians 15 Keighley 26 - Keighley produced their best form of the season to bag vital league points at Hipperholme. Their first half onslaught effectively saw off the home side's aspirations with an inspired Keighley side running in three top notch tries whilst playing up the notorious slope and into the face of a stiff breeze.

They had an early let off when, straight from the kick off, Brods skipper and former Cougars favourite Simon Irvine was wide with a penalty goal attempt. The early exchanges, however, saw the home side on top and their territorial advantage ultimately led to a try after 10 minutes play when forward Morgan Taylor forced his way over from a tapped penalty, with Irvine converting.

A penalty goal by full back Jonathan Hargreaves prompted the Keighley revival. They began to attack with style and confidence and edged into the lead when wingman Matthew Cox made good ground before handing on to Willie Hafu. The New Zealander had earlier tormented the opposition with his determined running, and this time battered and wove his way to the line for an excellent score to which Hargreaves added the conversion.

Keighley's defence kept a tight reign on the home side, with the forwards retaining sufficient possession to deny Brods the chance to exploit the slope and wind. Another raid by the pocket battleship Hafu, well supported by Leigh Sugden, took play to the home 22-metre line, from where Hargreaves added another penalty goal. But Brods surged downfield from the re-start with only a last ditch tackle by Matthew Cox saving a try when wingman Nathan Cavalier latched onto a chip through by centre Gareth Standeven.

A collision between Johnny Harrison and home prop forward Chris Elvidge led to both players leaving the field, Harrison suffering a reoccurrence of a knee injury and Elvidge sadly with a suspected fractured leg. Full back Hargreaves slotted into the fly half position, with the re-arrangement having no noticeable effect on Keighley's fluency. A powerful break by Kevin Young led to a try by fellow centre Nigel Curr to set up an eight-point lead. The normally vociferous but good-natured faithful in the Brods shed were reduced to silence as Keighley's dominance continued. From the re-start Leigh Sugden charged through the home ranks and another weaving run by Kevin Young took him almost to the line.

Keighley maintained the pressure and from a scrum 10 metres out good handling by the backs set up a try by wingman Chris Watts to give Keighley a 13-point interval lead.

Any thoughts Keighley had that the game was effectively won were, however, dispelled by the rejuvenated Brods side, even after Hargreaves had extended the lead with his third penalty goal. The heavier home pack put Keighley under severe pressure and No.8 Phil Horton was only denied a try when he was held up over the line. Keighley's play became, for a while, ragged and careless and they were finally punished when wingman Cavalier slipped the defence in a blind side move from a scrum to touch down wide out.

Time was, however, running out for Brods. At last Keighley began to work the pitch and the elements and having set up an attacking base deep in the opposition's half, they battered away at the line without reward. Any attempts by the home backs to run out of trouble were efficiently snuffed out by keen tackling by the Keighley three quarters, with scrum half Adam Balderstone also outstanding in this respect.

Keighley's elation at the final whistle was fully justified. It was a hugely significant victory, marred only by worrying injuries to Johnny Harrison and second row forward Duncan Walsh, who had retired towards the end with a shoulder injury. The key element was an all round gutsy effort and an unquenchable team spirit. Special plaudits must, however, go to forwards Leigh Sugden, Rob Riley, Willie Hafu and Lee Gordon, whilst Kevin Young, Matthew Cox and Adam Balderstone regularly caught the eye in the backs.

The side will approach Saturday's home fixture against Selby (kick off 2.15pm) with renewed confidence.