Keighley 23 West Leeds 19 - After a successful run against sides in the lower half of the league, Saturday's meeting with third placed West Leeds was amore serious pointer to Keighley's true strength. In the event they claimed the points their resolute performance deserved, although not without a new anxious moments, as the visitors enjoyed the better of the second half.

Keighley raced to an early 14-point lead through tries by Leigh Sugden (above) and wingman Kevin Young with 2 great conversions by Johnny Harrison. Sugden's try followed from a long touch finding kick by Harrison from a penalty award, Andy Bennet's line out take setting up the flankers powerful surge to the line, and a clever pick up in midfield by John Hinchcliffe after a charged down kick, allowed him to feed Young who raced in from 40 metres.

In a physical contest, well controlled in the main by referee Mark Stoddart, both packs struggled to gain the upper hand with the overall honours going to Keighley in spite of a few problems in the line outs. No.7 Lee Gordon was in outstanding form and was ably supported by Leigh Sugden, Paul Salmon and Peter Schofield in a pack in which every man played his part.

The visitors, however, offered stubborn resistance and prompted by skipper New Zealander Chris Falwasser at No.8 and scrum half Wayne Behan, secured sufficient possession to tallow their lively backs to show their potential. A slick move which caught Keighley's defence out of position led to a well taken try by wingman Anthony Wilkinson, converted from the touch line by veteran stand off Breakwell and only a last ditch tackle by full back Carl Smith kept out wingman Wilkinson again.

At the other end of the field Keighley came close to extending their lead. Firstly when a darting run by Johnny Harrison was checked one metre from the line after a good run by Carl Smith and then when a break by Harrison led to wingman Chris Watts being tackled into the corner flag.

A prolonged assault on the visitor's line was eventually rewarded with a penalty goal by Harrison, but before half time Wilkinson finished off another fluent attack by the West Leeds backs which again asked questions about Keighley's defensive organisation.

Keighley were soon forced onto the back foot in a dour but keenly contested second half, but some excellent touch kicking by Johnny Harrison and Carl Smith kept West Leeds at bay. Another penalty goal by Harrison was a welcome comfort, but the visitors refused to capitulate and pulled back with a try by Behan, converted by Breakwell to set up a tense finale.

Without ever being in danger of over confidence, the Keighley side has, however, got used to winning and its spirit and tenacity prevailed to claim a worthy victory to maintain its position at the head of the table.

Sadly it was not without cost. Injuries to Peter Schofield and Carl Smith are of concern before Saturday's home meeting with Ripon, but with Warren Knowles and Morgan Bailey now both back in action in a rampant second team, and several others pressing for senior recognition, the immediate future looks promising.

West Leeds 22

Keighley 2nd XV 23

Keighley had to dig deep to win by a single point.

After going behind they at last got on the score board with a penalty goal from Richard Cavender and added a try just on half time.

Cavender was attempting a fairly simple penalty kick, and when the ball fell off the kicking tee one of the West Leeds' players ran out picked up the ball as he repositioned the ball on the tee. The referee called "play on" and the ball was kicked deep down field.

Ben Woodwiss fielded the ball set off up the left-hand side he evaded the first tackle and fed the ball to Tim Midgley on the burst, he drew the last man and fed to Evan Griffin who scored in the left hand corner to put Keighley within three points of Leeds at the interval.

Nick Wright put Keighley ahead.

Bailey drove over for a try by the side of the posts and Cavender added the two extra points.

Keighley were now starting to boss the game but with only twenty minutes to go Tim Midgley was sent to the sin-bin. Leeds took advantage of the extra man, and scored a try. They edged even closer with another penalty.

Cavender kicked a good drop goal. Keighley gave away too many penalties; one of which was converted to put Leeds within one point of Keighley

In the dying seconds Keighley were marched back by the referee for backchat at a penalty to give their kicker a relatively easy chance to kick the winning goal.

The biggest sigh of relief came from the player who had disputed the referee's decision as the ball drifted wide of the posts.