Keighley 38

North Ribblesdale 7

Coach Tim Brunskill will be quietly satisfied with his side's demolition of a hardworking but unimaginative Ribblesdale outfit in the opening match of the new campaign.

Keighley brushed aside the challenge with a sparkling six try display which belied the visitors superior league status.

Particularly impressive in a dominant pack was the back row, where youngsters Morgan Bailey, John Gibson and Matthew Green's pace and energy was too much for the often pedestrian opposition to handle, with each contributing well taken tries.

Keighley took time to settle, with Ribblesdale looking the more threatening in the opening exchanges.

After ten minutes play, however, second row Leigh Sugden's line-out take promoted an inspired passage of play, with full back Carl Smith combining well with winger John Hinchcliffe to create room for debutante Adam Balderstone to dive over in the corner.

A sharp break by scrum half Scott Amos, who has returned to the club after a spell with Leodensians, soon set up a further score when good rucked ball by the forwards allowed Gibson to surge over from 30 metres out, with Johnny Harrison adding the conversion.

Keighley were by this stage well in control, and powerful work by prop Paul Sinfield and a half break by Harrison led to a fine try by Green, again improved by Harrison.

Wingman Warren Knowles, pictured, underlined Keighley's first half domination when a well timed pass by Harrison provided him with the space to go round his opposite number in style before touching down in the corner.

No 8 Morgan Bailey's enthusiasm was rewarded early in the second half when he outpaced the defence in a 40 metre run to the line with Harrison's conversion extending the lead to 31 points.

Keighley's scoring was completed when a towering cross kick by Harrison created confusion in the Ribblesdale defence and centre Kevin Young controlled the loose ball well to hack on for the sixth try, again converted by Harrison.

With the result no longer in doubt Keighley relaxed, introducing four replacements. The side temporarily lost its way, allowing the visitors' scrum half Greenhalgh to follow up his kick ahead to notch their only try, to which he added the goal.

A crossfield run by replacement winger Chris Watts almost brought him a score, but Keighley's work had been done and the final minutes of stalemate were unimportant in the context of the game as a whole.

There is no doubt that they will face much sterner examinations as the season progresses, with tomorrow's League opener at newly promoted Malton & Norton likely to test them to the full.

The side has, however, a good blend of youth and experience, and with keen competition for most positions it should promise another successful season.

Keighley 2nd XV won 40-5 at North Ribblesdale 2nds with tries from Michael Philips, Michael Race, Richard Emmott, Paul Salmon, Nigel Curr and Harrison, Duncan Grant proving as reliable as ever kicking ten points.