Keighley 23 Malton & Northon 27 - In another improved display Keighley narrowly failed to overcome an efficient and unbeaten Malton & Norton side in an exciting match at Utley. The home side enjoyed territorial advantage for much of the game before conceding defeat to a late try when, for once, their resolute tackling let them down.

The visitors have become something of a jinx side for the Utley men, having beaten them twice in last season's promotion winning campaign. This was, however, a game which Keighley deserved to win. They held the lead for most of the game, but good luck which is an essential ingredient in every successful campaign has this season, been conspicuously lacking in the Keighley camp.

Both sides contributed to a lively opening, with No.8 Willie Hafu and flanker Morgan Bailey showing up well for the home side. An early penalty goal miss by Jonathan Hargreaves was a disappointment but Keighley took the lead after 20 minutes play with a spectacular try by wingman Matthew Cox who benefited from a good forward build up and some slick handling by Johnny Harrison before coming off the wing at pace and touching down between the posts with Hargreaves converting.

Shortly afterwards Malton & Norton wingman Ian Cooke landed a penalty goal, but Keighley stored back, layi0ng siege to the visitor's line for several minutes without forcing home the advantage. Several times their finishing let them down, with the clearest chance falling to prop Paul Sinfield, and it was left to Hargreaves to increase the lead with a penalty goal.

A thrilling run by Cox took him almost to the line as Keighley continued to impress and scrum half Scott Amos was unlucky to be denied a try when he followed up his own chip ahead to touch down with referee Jeff Hudson unsighted. Play was brought back for a penalty award for Keighley, duly converted by Hargreaves, before Cooke's penalty goal left the visitors trailing by 13 points to 6 at half time.

Malton & Norton were out of the blocks quickly at the start of the second half. A touchline dash by Cooke set up a 5 metre line out and Keighley were unable to defend against the ensuing well organised rolling maul which brought a try for prop forward Eddy, improved by Cooke. For almost the first time, Keighley looked vulnerable, their indecision leading to perhaps the defining moment of the game when the predatory Cooke intercepted in the Keighley half and sprinted to the posts before adding the conversion.

A third penalty goal by Hargreaves pulled Keighley back into contention and with their confidence restored they threw everything into the attack. A 40 metre run by Cox after Hargreaves had created the opening, was checked just short of the line and after thorough testing of the visitors defence by forwards and backs alike, Morgan Bailey was driven over by the Keighley pack from close range, with Hargreaves conversion giving them a three point lead.

As before this season, Keighley then allowed the opposition to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Centre Ryan Lonsdale was given far too much room is build up pace and his jinking run brought him a match winning converted try between the posts with only five minutes remaining.

Keighley were naturally deflated, but they had run one of the league's strongest sides close.

They will play worse and win this season. In a hard working pack skipper Rob Riley, hooker Dave Pullen and back row men Willie Hafu and Morgan Bailey caught the eye, whilst wingman Matthew Cox was the pick of the backs.