Keighley Albion 15 London Skolars 13 - Albion returned to Conference league action at Crossflatts looking for there first double of the season.

London Skolars made the long trip north and fielded an all-English team for the first time in the club's history.

Albion started brightly taking the game to the Skolars 20 metre area and in their first real attacking move saw the ball moved quickly out wide, but Rob Bailey was bundled into touch. From the resulting scrum Skolars took the ball up field, and Andy Hirst put Bobby Brown (no relation to Albion's player) in for a try from 20 metres. The conversion was missed, but the Skolars had captured an early 4-0 lead.

Matt Horne and Simon Marsden both had good runs to put Albion back on the attack and a John Gwilliam drop goal got Albion on the score sheet.

In the next attack from the London side Albion were penalised for ball stealing and Andy Hames kicked the penalty to increase the Skolars' lead. Albion were having all the play but were unable to break down the Skolars' defence both Mark Ives and Rob Bailey went close but the half time score was 6-1 to the visitors.

From the second half kick off Paul Sinfield and Gary Boocock brought the ball upfield and in the second set of six, Gary Boocock charged 30 metres through the Skolars defence causing havoc which led to penalty as the Skolars failed to get back onside Dean Brookes kicked the goal to put Albion back in the game at three points to six.

Three minutes later, following a Simon Marsden run, substitute Wayne McComb chipped the ball behind the Skolars defence and Mark Ives pounced on the ball for a try in the corner. Dean Brookes kicked the goal from the toucline to put Albion in front for the first time at 9 - 6.

The Skolars' attacks were becoming less frequent as Albion powered forward and Craig Morphett's 56th minute break saw him set up a try for Rob Haughey who went over out wide, there was no conversion, but Albion had a 13 - 6 lead.

Andy Hirst broke from midfield for the London outfit and his delicate kick saw full back Justin Hudson score by the posts. Andy Hames added the extras to bring the Skolars within a point of Albion at 13-12 and the match was reaching boiling point.

With Albion in retreat the Skolars attacked again and Andy Hirst dropped a goal to tie the scores.

Memories of last season's game, when the Skolars came from behind, came flooding back, but Albion dug deep and a draw seemed like the most likely outcome.

An injury to John Gwilliam saw Bobby Brown return to the action and following good midfield play he coolly dropped a goal to break the deadlock. As the clock ticked down he side stepped the on-rushing defenders to clinch the game with another drop goal to give Albion a 15-13 victory.

In a game where neither side held the lead for long Albion's resilliance paid off and they were well served by Craig Morphett, Dean Brookes and Mark Ives. But Bobby Brown emerged as Albion's man of the match.

n Tomorrow Albion travel to Crossfields at Warrington to try and avenge there only home league defeat of the season so far.

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