Rugby League: Keighley Cougars 32, Oldham 28.
The Cougars hung on for a hard earned victory despite the efforts of a determined and enterprising Oldham side.
The visitors rocked Keighley when they took a third minute lead with a Danny Brown which was converted from the touchline by Danny Wood.
Led superbly by captain Jason Ramshaw, Keighley soon clicked into gear and the skipper equalised when he followed up Martin Wood's kick to dive over, Wood converting.
Oldham belied their lowly league position all afternoon and grabbed back the lead in the 13th minute when hooker John Hough dived over from close range, Wood missing an easy conversion.
At this stage the Cougars started to gain control and Ramshaw set up two tries - one to Matt Foster and the other to Keith Dixon - both converted by Wood and at 18-10 they looked well in control.
However, Oldham soon hit back and Joe McNicholas jinked his way over out wide to get them back in the game.
Again the Cougars took control with some enterprising and flowing rugby. Foster grabbed his second and then, minutes after having a try disallowed, Jason Lee went over in the corner to make the score 26-14 at the break.
The second half saw Oldham really attack the Cougars down the slope and they were rewarded with two quick tries to level the scores at 26 apiece.
Mike Farrell cut inside the Cougars defence with ease then McNicholas chased down a kick. Danny Brown converted both and the Cougars were under pressure
Mark Campbell settled their nerves, however, with a well-taken try in the 53rd minute which Wood converted. This proved to be the decider although Oldham did have a late penalty to set up an exciting finish.
Keighley had the class and experience, however, to hang on to two vital points.
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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