Keighley 35, Castleford 14 - There was a distinct end of term feeling pervading this largely uninspiring encounter at Utley. Whilst there were passages of enthusiastic and skilful play, the game as a whole lacked passion and pattern, with Keighley wasting too many scoring opportunities through over elaboration and carelessness.

In fairness, injuries robbed the side of two of its most potent attacking forces in centre Dale Towler and wingman John Hinchcliffe, and the pack suffered from the absence of props John Duffy and Rob Riley and second row man Duncan Walsh. As a result, the backs lacked some of the fluency often shown this season, and the forwards were conspicuously short of aggression and application. There were, however, impressive performances by wingman Danny Horne and full back Carl Smith, and up front no one tired harder than second row man Leigh Sugden, flanker Lee Gordon and, on his 1st team debut, replacement John Gibson.

Keighley were soon ahead, after a charged down kick was snapped up by Johnny Harrison who held off a posse of pursuers to touch down, but Castleford then took the lead when skipper Willett finished off a rolling maul from a line out 5 metres out, with centre Price converting. A penalty goal by Harrison restored the lead, before an injury to Manchester Referee Seth Clay caused a delay whilst referee Peter Young was transferred to first team duty from the adjoining third team game. He went on to acquit himself well in testing circumstances, having the confidence and fortitude firstly to sin bin Castleford's abrasive No.8 Willett and late in the game to send off their prop Coough, both for stamping offences.

In the meantime, Keighley established an unassailable half time lead of 20 points with tries by Danny Horne, after a half break by Johnny Harrison, and Carl Smith, after a powerful run following a long miss pass in the centre. No.8 Morgan Bailey grabbed another after a surging bash by Smith and Harrison added a brace of conversions.

A penalty goal by Harrison early in the second half should have been the precursor of a deluge of points for Keighley as a dispirited looking Castleford side increasingly lost its way. In the event, they were able to add one more score, when, following neat work between the Harrison bothers, Danny Horne crossed for his second try.

Sloppy play by Keighley allowed prop forward Bell to grab a consolation try for the visitors, converted by Price as Keighley relaxed, allowing Castleford a brief spell of ascendancy.

The win hoists Keighley into 4th place in the league, immediately behind neighbours Skipton, ironically a side beaten home and away by Keighley, and is likely to condemn Castleford to relegation. With promotion no longer a possibility, sights are now set on the Yorkshire Shield semi-final at Yarnbury on Wednesday, 24th April, Kick Off 6.30pm.