Keighley Celtic 4, Silsden Park Rangers 26

Keighley Cup holders Silsden Park Rangers eased their way back into the final, with a comfortable win over Keighley Celtic. Fourth division Celtic fought hard all afternoon, but with Jim Coldwell, Bob Harrison and Man of the Match Dave Arnold dominating the middle of the park, and scrum half Andy Bowness in terrific form, Silsden's extra pace and power out wide eventually told.

After a tight opening quarter, Neil Jordan started and finished the first try. The strong running loose forward burst through and released winger Mark Claydon, and although tackled into touch Claydon managed to release the ball allowing Jordan to hack on and touch town. Mark Adams converted, and then Pat Illingworth celebrated his 30th birthday with a great solo try just before half time. Receiving the ball direct from a scrum 20 metres out, Illingworth ghosted through the defence and held off the cover to give Rangers a ten-point interval lead.

Playing down the slope, Silsden extended their lead again shortly after the break. Mighty charges from Coldwell and Neal Gaylor took them close, and when the ball was moved wide Adams prised open the defence and sent Phil Lane in at the corner. Adams' brilliant touchline conversion gave Rangers a 16-point advantage, before Lane turned provider by sending Claydon diving over, after a perfectly executed planned move involving half the team.

To their credit, Celtic kept battling away, and gained some reward when lively scrum half Neil Kennedy darted in from close range. But Adams ensured there would be no way back for Celtic, when he sent impressive full back Mark Kent crashing over in the closing stages. The outstanding Adams again goaled from the touchline, leaving the Cobbydalers looking forward to another big day out when they take on Keighley Albion in the Final on May 8th.

Before then, Silsden must play their last league match at Todmorden on April 24th, where a victory should clinch their second successive promotion.

Keighley Albion 14

Worth Village 12

Crossflatts staged a typical local derby with the 'old firm' of Albion and Village locking horns for the second year running in the semi-final of the local cup.

Last year Village just edged it but this time around it was Keighley Albion who took the honours and will now face reigning champions Silsden in the final.

The opening quarter was a scrappy affair as both sides looked tense and made mistakes whilst trying to gain the advantage. John Sutcliffe broke the deadlock, going over for a well taken try in the eighteenth minute for the Villagers. Five minutes later Village gave away a penalty for punching which Dean Brooks turned into two points to put Albion on the scoresheet.

On the half hour Albion skipper Wayne Smith burst through the Village defence with a powerful run for the line to give his side the lead, 6-4. Within five minutes Village struck back through the hardworking loose forward Darren Lynam who touched down to take back the lead at the interval.

Immediately on the restart Albion came back as centre Aidy Cooney and wingerman Mathew Horne combined to put Horne in at the corner, Dean Brooks adding a superb conversion to return the lead to Albion at 12-8. Worth came back strongly and look set to take back the advantage when Richard Shaw broke the Albion line and run 50 metres only to be denied by an outstanding cover tackle by centre Rob Haughey who managed to turn him on his back inches before he crossed the line.

Further pressure from the visitors was reward when youngster Lee Bircket crashed over in the corner to level the scores at 12-12. A further Village penalty allowed Dean Brooks to reinstate Albion's lead and set up a Grandstand finish.

With two minutes remaining Albion were penalised for stealing the ball in the tackle within yards of the sticks, a successful kick would have forced extra time, but Village amazingly decided to run the ball. Albion rallied their defence to hang on and take their place in the final on May 8 against Silsden.

Coach Gary Moorby said: "It was a typical close fought derby game by no means a classic, but at the end of the day you have to take your chances. They scored three tries to our two but Dean Brookes' two peanlty conversions proved vital.

After a season like we've just had we are happy to get a win and now play Silsden in the final. They are the Cup holders and have had a successful season and will be out to take our scalp. We're looking forward to it."

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