Early season pace setters Dinnington came to Utley needing to win to keep the chasing pack at bay after a couple of recent reverses.

Keighley for their part were looking to avenge defeat at Dinnington as well as keeping alive any slim hopes of securing a promotion birth. Ironically a Keighley win would be likely to produce as loud a cheer down the road at Sandylands where Skipton remain in the running for promotion.

The game started in pleasant spring conditions that encouraged both sides to play open and attractive rugby. Almost from the first contact Dinnington's forwards prompted by fly off Dean Lax, now back with his original club after a spell with Rotherham, took play deep in to Keighley territory. However following a strong run from No 8 Varey close to the line the ball came loose and Morgan Bailey fly-hacked down field to clear the danger. Bailey following his own kick through forced a penalty on half way, which John Harrison kicked to touch. From the line out several fazes of play from one side of the pitch to the other, led to a pass to Carl Smith joining the line at pace who touched down under the posts. Harrison added the goal.

Dinnington came back strongly and following a scrum Lax spotted space behind the Keighley defence, chipped through and collected his own kick to score an excellent try which he converted.

Keighley were soon under pressure again following a line out on their own 22 and a series of drives from the heavier visiting forwards, resulted in a try for Skipper Cockerham from close range. Lax adding the conversion.

Almost from the re-start Keighley thought they had scored a good try with Bailey and Dave Pullen seeming to get the ball to ground from a rolling maul. Unfortunately for the home side the Referee was unsighted and could only award a 5-metre scrum. Shortly before half time Keighley were able to reduce the deficit with a well taken drop goal from Harrison.

Lax soon restored the visitor's seven point advantage with a well struck penalty following a Keighley indiscretion. The lead was further increased when following a sweet reverse pass by Scrum Half S Pinder, No 6 M Pinder ran in strongly from 22 metres. Lax again made the conversion. With the score at 10-24 to the visitors after only 10 minutes of the second half, Keighley responded magnificently to the challenge. A fine rolling maul resulted in a Bailey try, which Harrison converted.

Further Keighley pressure resulted in the gap being narrowed further with a Harrison penalty after Dinnington were penalised for not releasing the ball.

With five minutes remaining Keighley scored the try of the game. From a line out just inside their own half, the ball was fed out along the line to Warren Knowles who in turn passed to John Hinchcliffe who created space for Dale Towler to charge in unopposed from 22 metres to score under the posts. Harrison again added the conversion to finish with a personal tally of 12 points, which took him beyond 250 for the season.

Keighley held out in the final minutes to take a well deserved win to the satisfaction of the large crowd.