Silsden PR 4 Keighley Albion 24 - Albion had this Halifax Cup derby clash sewn up by half time after piling up a 22-0 lead.

The Keighley side has the most solid defence in the Pennine League and they soaked up everything Silsden could throw at them before delivering the killer blow in a five minute spell of superb skills.

Albion's young side has come together superbly this season and is barely recognisable from the side which fell out of the Conference in April. Coach Paul Bailey has done a superb job of blending youth with experience as was illustrated by the opening score.

Veteran loose forward Craig Livock sent a superb short pass out to 17-year-old Steve Cullen who went in at the corner in the fourteenth minute.

Teenage stand-off James Young converted from the touchline then added a penalty as Albion took control.

Silsden had other ideas and poured pressure on the Albion line. They had three sets of six tackles deep in Albion territory but could not break down the 'Red Wall.'

An unforced error gave Albion a scrum 10 metres from their line. Centre Rob Haughey (above) broke from the scrum and sliced through Silsden's defence to race 90 metres up-field. Young converted and provided the turning point of the game.

From being under extreme pressure Albion had pulled out a 14-0 lead.

Just before the break Livock put Cullen over for a second try, Young converted and added a penalty to make it 22-0.

Silsden worked hard in an attempt to fight their way back, particularly Matt Horne, player-coach Jon Gwilliam, hooker John Williams and Eddie Billings.

But Albion's defence, led by the outstanding Stephen Wrench and Ben Farrar, was just too strong.

Gwilliam and Williams found a gap and combined on the hour to send Mark Ives over out wide.

Andy Bowness couldn't convert from the touchline and in the end Albion had the final say with Young landing a late penalty to complete the scoring.

Silsden were led superbly by prop Martin Fryers and Horne but in the end Albion's talent-packed side were just too good.

Seventeen-year-old Tom Holland made an impressive debut at prop for Albion who are showing what can be achieved with enthusiastic young players.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Albion travel to Halifax, Keighley town are away at Rotherham, and Silsden are away at odsal Sedbergh.

Keighley Albion A are at home to Brighouse A and Cowling are at home to Greetland A.