Folly Lane Ladies 0

Albion Cats 42

The Cats returned to winning ways against a committed but eventually outclassed Folly Lane side in their Challenge Cup round robin tie.

On a postage stamp pitch and in wet conditions this was never going to be an easy match but with a bizarre refereeing display, which totally bemused both sides, any form of flowing rugby became impossible.

Keighley were soon on the attack down the slight slope but the big Folly forwards were quick to snuff out any danger. On their own sets of six Folly were kicking early but to no avail as surging runs from Jodee Loader repeatedly took the ball back into the opposition half.

The narrow pitch was preventing the Cats from exploiting the pace of their back division. However Keira Burns was making great yardage from acting half and set up skipper Laura Ackroyd for the first try.

Twice Sarah Cartwright was bundled into touch when about to scorebut the pressure took its toll and Sarah Gatenby scored a typical try with a surging run to the line.

A sweeping crossfield move ended with Alex Knight scoring in the corner and this time the conversion sailed over and at 14-0 the Folly heads began to drop.

Keira Burns was next on the score sheet when one of her surging runs carried all the way to the line despite the attentions of several defenders, Ackroyd again adding on the extras. Keighley seemed able to score at will and from a set scrum play Ackroyd fooled the whole defence with an outrageous dummy and scored herself. Just to rub salt in the wound she also added the conversion.

With the Cats on a roll the wind was taken completely out of their sails by the referee inexplicably ending the half 10 minutes early. However the Cats were comfortably ahead at 26-0.

The second half got under way with a string of dubious decisions by the referee giving Folly a feast of possession. The Manchester side virtually camped on the Keighley line but despite their possession, Folly failed to score.

Keighley re-asserted their superiority when Ackroyd scored a fine solo try and Burns produced a carbon copy of her first half effort, both converted by Ackroyd. Ackroyd then scored a further try and just as it looked like Keighley would emphasise the gulf in class the referee ended the match 12 minutes early declaring 'he'd had enough'.

This was a fine all round team performance with Ackroyd just shading the player of the match award from Burns. This week Keighley return to league action with the long trip to Barrow.