Keighley Albion 1, Stanley Rangers 14 - A BUMPER New Year crowd over 600 packed Albion's Crossflatts ground hoping to see the Keighley side power their way into a Challenge cup place among the professional clubs -- but they went down in an heroic battle with Stanley Rangers.

The one-sided scoreline did not reflect Albion's commitment and endeavour which could have been much closer.

Two missed opportunities going down the hill in the first half and a couple of close encounters in the second period went begging. If any of the tries had been completed the Wakefield side would have been put under real pressure and the outcome could have been so different.

There was a real buzz around the ground even before kick off as the bumper crowd got behind the team in their twice postponed game.

Albion, playing down the hill, kicked deep into the Rangers half and tried to put the bigger opposition under pressure by getting the ball out wide. The tactics seemed to be working as John Gwilliam dropped a goal on three minutes to put the home side ahead.

Rangers hit back with an attack from Rob Neale which forced Albion to chase back to recover. From the hand over Mark Colbeck slipped a pass to put Gary Hampshire over for a try under the posts. Rob Neale converted giving the visitors a 6-1 lead after only six minutes.

The game was being placed at a frantic pace with Ian Spencer, Craig Morphett and Dean Brookes setting up Albion's attack and keeping the Rangers back in their own quarter. The Keighley side were unlucky not to score on 25 minutes when Simon Marsden was forced into touch.

Four minutes later Albion got within a hair's breadth of the line but were held up on the last tackle. Rangers re-grouped and started to make inroads into Albion's half but Gareth Wilkinson and Ben Farrar tackled like demons as the clock ticked down. It had been an entertaining first half with both sides playing open football, but the defence of both teams was prominent. Albion had enjoyed the better chances, but they were 6-1 down.

As the second half started Albion put pressure on Rangers and a dropped ball in defence gave Albion the ball back. They were unable to capitalise and were punished when Rangers' Danny Firth broke from midfield and fed full back Wayne Boardman who outstripped Albion's defence in a 40-yard run to score by the posts. Rob Neale converted to give the visitors a 12-1 lead.

Both Simon Marsden and Rob Haughey had 40-yard runs as Albion tried to overcome the Rangers' defence, but they were both hauled down and Albion went further behind when rob Neale converted a penalty.

In a game dominated by defences the bigger Stanley Rangers team, coached by Castleford and Great Britain forward, Dean Sampson, had the advantage but Albion were well served by Craig Morphitt, Gareth Greenbank, Mark Ives and Rob Haughey. Steve Abraham of Stanley Rangers won the Silk Cut man of the match award in a game which was much appreciated by the large crowd.

Albion return to Conference League action on Saturday with the visit of London Skolars to Crossflatts on Saturday, kick off 2pm.

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