Normanton Knights 18

Keighley Albion 8

ALBION are languishing at the foot of the National Conference second division after throwing away another great chance of victory.

For long periods they completed dominated the Normanton side, but once again 30 minutes of good work was undone by five minutes of madness.

Albion failed to control the ball consistently all afternoon, and both home tries in the first half came directly from handling errors. They gifted Normanton a second minute lead, a fumble allowing home prop Kevin Price to crash over unopposed.

Gradually though Albion got their act together and stole the lead when Chris Hogg raced 80 metres to touch down, Danny Horne converting.

The amount of good possession and field position Albion had they should have extended their lead, but they were guilty of trying too hard, anxiety crept into their game and chance after chance went begging.

The nearest the Keighley side came to a try was when a superb run and offload by man of the match Steve Wrench nearly sent Craig Morphet over, instead the Albion skipper was hauled down inches short of the line.

Normanton gained a shock lead just before the break. They weathered another Albion attack, to race downfield, Albion scrambled superbly to regain possession then a wayward pass to no-one on the away line was pounced upon by Paul Seal, who will never score an easier try in his life, suddenly somehow Albion were behind at the break 8-6.

The second half was worse, Albion's discipline collapsed completely, and two Seal penalties made easier by backchatting kept the home side in front. All Albion could manage was a Horne penalty, and salt was really rubbed into their wounds when in the dying seconds home winger Lee Riddell went in for a converted try.

Albion face high flying Hunslet Warriors at Cougar Park on Saturday (k.o. 2-30) .

Albion A 23

Ovenden A 20

Albion survived late pressure from the Halifax side to secure victory in a close encounter at Highfield.

Ovenden had taken three wins from the first three matches and were in no mood to surrender their record, but after a tough opening period it was Albion who claimed the first try. Andy Parker and Craig Livock took them close to the line and Chris Brookes dived over from the play-the-ball with Andy Bowness adding the conversion.

Gary Boocock used his size and strength to drive over for a try, but the conversion attempt went wide

Ovenden forced their way back with an unconverted try before Scott Belamy was punched in the tackle and Brookes kicked the penalty from short range. He took the lead to 13-4 with a drop goal.

Albion were firmly in command, but just before the break Ovenden scored a converted try to put them right back in the game at 13-10.

The visitors took the lead after sustained pressure, but Andy Bowness raced in and Brookes added the extras to grab the advantage they wouldn't loose again. Simon Marsden barged over and with 18 minutes to go and a 23-14 lead Albion decided to play out time. The tactic nearly backfired as the visitors scored a converted try, but Albion held firm to the final whistle.

Keighley Town 24, Criggleston All Blacks 28 (no details available).

Silsden Park Rangers v Boothtown Terriers (postponed).

Emley Moor A 48, Keighley Town A 14 (no details available).