Keighley Town 6 Keighley Albion 17 - Keighley Albion just got the edge over rivals Keighley Town in a thrilling local derby.

Albion had the look of a side expecting to stroll to victory, and in the first five minutes they probably thought that they were on track. Town were awarded a penalty under Albion's posts and would have been better tagging the two points, but a quick tap by Town to try and catch Albion napping didn't work.

On the third tackle Town lost the ball, Albion's centre gathered up the ball to score at the other end and the conversion gave Albion an early six-point lead.

Town made sure they didn't score again in the first half. It was hard to find a man of the match for Town, but Jamie Benn and Chris Ellison just had the edge over everyone else. Town's defence kept Albion's big pack at bay in the first half, with Quinton Snead, Dale Spencer and Daz Lynham putting in huge tackles against Albion.

It was end to end stuff for most of the game but both defences held fast. On the 30 minute mark Town were awarded another penalty and this time Billy McKay collected the two points. New winger Paul Bradwell caught well under pressure to help keep the score 2-6 at half time.

Albion got an early converted try to put them to go 12-2 up early in the second half. Wayne McComb replaced Kennedy and the fresh set of legs helped Town keep up their pressure. With Daz Lynham leading the attack he put Rocky McNulty through a gap to score, but it was too far out for McKay to convert.

Town started to out-play Albion and within the space of eight minutes were held up over the line three times with centre Andy Stokes and stand-off Daz McNulty both missing out on scores. Dave Lewis came on for Ian Barnes and Adam Dix replaced McNulty and although Town's defence was the best it had been for weeks Albion managed score against the run of play and stretch their lead to 16-6.

Town refused to give up and Adam Dix was the third to be held up over the line. Town made another substitution Quinton Sneaqd came off after an outstanding game to be replaced by Allan Muff.

The one time Albion got anywhere near Town's line in the last ten minutes they squeezed in a field goal to make it 6-17 at full time after a superb contest.

Slaithewaite 54

Keighley Town A 14

Despsite slipping to defeat town were not disgraced by the score as the young side showed pride and commitment, despite their lack of size and experience. The smallest player on the field, Danny Barrett, set the example as he tackled everything in sight.

Hudson, Mount and Jones all cross the line, but all three tries were disallowed. They managed to cross for three tries which were allowed, the first came after Melvin, Sedgewick, King and Simpson had pinned Slaithwaite on their own line. Barrett went from the play-the-ball to score.

Hudson managed to add a goal and Steve Jones pulled off six or seven try-saving tackles. Ahmed took the man of the match award and the home crowd praised Town for their never-say-die attitude which also won the respect of their opponents.

n Silsden Park Ranger's fixture against Moldgreen last Saturday was postponed.

Silsden take on the Division Two leaders Odsal Sedbergh at Silsden Park this Saturday, kick-off is at 2.30.

Ironically, Silsden have had the game sponsored by former Odsal Sedbergh player, Paul Cook, who runs the Slaters Arms public house at Bradley.

"This promises to be one of the best games of the season and could well decide if Silsden remain in the promotion hunt, so we will be going flat out for victory," said a club spokesman.