Keighley Albion Cats 62 Slaithwaite 8 - It was a case of third time lucky for the Albion Cats last Sunday when they finally won through to the Challenge Cup Final.

In the two previous seasons they had fallen at the semi-final stage but this time there were to be no mistakes as their gallant first division opponents were finally swamped.

The Cats were by no means at full strength but there was a quiet determination about the whole squad, which suggested that defeat was simply not an option. From their first set of six Keighley ran through a set play that ended with Sarah Cartwright scoring in the corner. The kick was missed but the Cats were off and running.

Soon after Jodie Billing added a second, which Laura Ackroyd converted and Keighley were cruising. However, Slaithwaite took the game to Keighley and reminded them that they were in the semi-final on merit by scoring a good try in the corner.

Keighley hit back in fine style with quick tries for Keira Burns and Sarah Shillito, both of which Ackroyd goaled. Keighley lost concentration and Slaithwaite had their best spell of the match. However with Billing marshalling the defence there was no way through for the visitors.

Cartwright scored the best try of the game, breaking from just inside her own half she used a combination of strength and speed to shrug off most of the Slaithwaite team to touch down near the posts. Again Ackroyd converted and there was now no way back for Slaithwaite. However just before half time some slack Keighley defending allowed them in for another try.

In the second half Slaithwaite sensed that the game was lost and began a damage limitation exercise by slowing the game down and attempting to spoil the Cats possession with delays and stoppages. For most of the half the tactic worked to good effect with only Cartwright's third try adding to the score.

However in the final quarter the visitors visibly tired and the floodgates opened.

Both Burns and Billing scored second tries, each goaled by Ackroyd who then scored herself and tagged on the extras. Saima Hussein then got in on the act ending a fine team move with a try in the corner. In the dying moments Cartwright added her own fourth and the Cats eleventh try with a scorching 80-metre dash, which Ackroyd again converted.

There was just time for Shillito to grab her second with another run from deep, rounding the full back in some style before touching down under the posts. Ackroyds final conversion being the last act of a memorable match.

It was fitting that Angie Pickard, the club's longest serving player and only surviving member of the all-conquering Lawkholme Ladybirds, should take the player of the match award.

The Cats can now look forward to their day out at the Cup Final on Easter Sunday against Bradford, who also provide the league opposition this Sunday at Marley.