Keighley RFU 52

Northallerton 5

What a difference a week makes. After last week's stuttering display at West Leeds a re-vitalised Keighley side played with a style and conviction not seen for a long time at Utley.

True they were playing the team which is bottom of the league, but they showed little compassion in the way they tore the visitors apart with a combination of solid forward effort, and determined running by a back line which contributed all seven tries. Each try was converted by skipper Johnny Harrison, who also landed a penalty goal to underline that his place kicking form is back to its best.

The visitors flattered to deceive in the early stages, starting with considerable fire and enthusiasm, and should have taken an early lead when centre Widdall fluffed an easy second minute penalty chance.

Keighley's pack, however, soon began to relish the rare prospect of a contest against smaller and lighter opponents and gradually took control. Following a scrum 30 meters from the visitors' line, a pick up by No.8 Morgan Bailey was supported by scrum half Ian Woodwiss whose pass allowed wingman John Hinchliffe to stroll in at the corner for the first try after 15 minutes play.

Back row men Bailey and Paul Salmon were both held close to the line after determined charges before Harrison increased the lead with a penalty goal. Play was mainly concentrated in the Northallerton half and Keighley's lead should have been extended when centre Dale Towler knocked on with the line at his mercy after good approach work by Warren Knowles and Matt Gaffney.

He soon made amends when Northallerton stand off Elliott's clearance kick was charged down and slick passing brought a deserved first senior try for centre Chris Dooling, who is settling well after his move from amateur rugby league.

Keighley's excellent support play inspired by another powerful run by Paul Salmon created a try for Matt Gaffney to give them a comfortable 24 points half time lead.

In a rare lapse of concentration this was reduced early in the second half when a quickly taken tapped penalty caught Keighley off guard and scrum half Read touched down under the posts. There were few further chances for the visitors, whose cause was not helped when referee Phil Shaw dismissed Northallerton wingman Smith to the sin bin amidst confusion about the identity of the true aggressor. Keighley resumed control and full back Warren Knowles quickly grabbed a brace of well taken tries, firstly with the aid of a find dummy and then with a timely incursion into the line.

A storming run by Morgan Bailey was halted near to the line as Keighley exploited an increasingly tired defence and Johnny Harrison nipped over between the posts from a tapped penalty after the Northallerton forwards had killed the ball at the ruck.

Finally Dale Towler finished off a sweeping attack involving forwards and backs to complete a splendid afternoon's work for the Home side.

It was a good all round team performance. The pack looked much more mobile than of late. Second row man Andy Bennett enjoyed his best game of the season and Paul Salmon fully justified his move into the back row where he and Morgan Bailey posed a regular threat. Centres Chris Dooling and Dale Towler combined well in a back division which is beginning to play with confidence and skill.

Next week's National Intermediate Cup tie at a resurgent Ilkley should hopefully prove that this was no false dawn.