Keighley Albion 10

Hillsborough Hawks 36

Albion's crashed to a Sheffield side which is also involved in the relegation battle.

The Keighley side were once again forced to play a changed side and lost Mark Adams in the first two minutes.

Kris Kirk surged over for the opening try after the ball bounced kindly off the post. He also tagged on the goal to give Albion a 6-0 lead.

Albion's bigger pack was causing problems for the Hawks defenders with Adam Lilley, Jim Coldwell and Martin Fryers on form.

Hawks scored a penalty and piled on the pressure with prop Nathan Worton going in for a short range try to level the scores.

Rob Bailey was injured and took no further part as the teams traded penalties.

Andy Bowness and Craig Livock combined to send Kirk storming in for his second ty as Albion took a 10-8 lead.

It was to be the last Keighley score as Sheffield took control. Two harsh tries gave them an 18-10 lead at the break and the started the second half with a penalty to go further ahead.

Jon Nicholls added a try and a further injury to Steve Wrench added to Albion's woes.

Hawks took advantage with abreak from midfield for a converted try.

Martin Fryers, Adam Lilley and Jim Coldwell were still making good yards with Kris Kirk joining the attacking line. Their dogged resistance kept Hawks at bay until the 70th minute when a converted try put the Sheffield side Barry McCuffog score a try, Ben Thornton added the goal to bring up the final score.

It had not been a classic game but the disruptions to Albion's team had played its part in a gutsy performance. But strong games from Albion's man of the match Martin Fryers, supported by Adam Lilley, Gary Boocock and Kris Kirk was all that Albion had to offer.

Albion's next game is away to Hunslet Warriors on January 5, with a 2-00pm kick off.

Keighley Albion A 12

Victoria Vikings 20

Albion second string had to dig deep to put out a side against top of the table side Victoria Vikings.

Glen and Neil Palmer were dragged out of retirement to make up a 15-strong squad.

Mark Kellett scooted from a play-the-ball at 30m out to open the scoring and also had a hand in the second score when his kick through enabled Ian Anderson to outpace the cover.

Vikings hit back with a converted try just before the break to make it 8-6.

The second half was all Victoria as the home side tired and three players were sent off. Vikings ran in two more converted tries and kicked a penalty to put the match out of Albion's reach.

However Chris Brookes grabbed a late consolation try.

Albion can now look forward to the Christmas break to recover after injuries but they will have to win all their remaining matches to have any chance of beating the Vikings to the top of Pennine Division Three.