West Park 9, Keighley 24

A FULLY committed blood and thunder affair between the top two sides in the league saw Keighley gain a deserved victory and leave Park with a battle on their hands to claim the second promotion spot.

Park were penalised straight from the kick-off for entering a maul from the side and Harrison kicked the visitors ahead.

Nick Nightingale led Park's reply with a break and after a 35 metre penalty shot at goal was refused.

The Park forwards grafted their way further upfield and Richard Monkhouse levelled the game after Keighley were off-side.

Harrison restored the lead and the visitors then had a good spell of possession but Park held firm. A fine dummy and break from Glen Kilvington put Park in a good position but a stray pass took them back 70 metres.

However, Keighley showed ruthless finishing almost on half-time as their backs opened up Park with an incisive move to score the try, making it 3-11 at the break.

This left coach Kevin Plant to lift his players after Park had put in a great effort for little reward.

Keighley's style of open play from their own 22 backfired as a dropped pass led to Monkhouse kicking his second penalty.

Another break by Kilvington went unrewarded and the game reached a stalemate.

Both Harrison and Monkhouse kicked further penalties but when Park transgressed again Harrison's penalty opened the gap to two scores.

Frustration set in for Park and Jason Whitehead was yellow-carded as Keighley finished in style when scrum-half Amos chipped over and scored to seal the win. Park's great effort had given the champions elect a scare and they must now win their last three games to have a chance of promotion.

A special mention must go to veteran Ian Melia who made his first appearance in the first team for four years in the absence of the influential Matt Stevens.