Ilkley 34, Keighley 19

JUST when it seemed that Keighley's near catastrophic run of poor form had reached its lowest ebb, the side contrived its most humiliating defeat of the season at Ilkley.

Whilst it could point to a number of excuses, including the absence of three or four key players and the loss through injury of others during the game, there could be no convincing excuse for this lack lustre performance. Too many players looked jaded and at times almost disinterested as they failed to come to grips with an Ilkley side which had an ample supply of the prime ingredient which Keighley lacked, namely the will to win.

An early pushover try by No 8 Jenkinson dented the confidence Keighley had first displayed and a penalty goal miss by stand off Chris Barker did little for morale. Keighley's backs however, looked the more dangerous with full back Gary Davy in particular constantly in the thick of things. A fine individual try by centre John Flaherty converted by Barker gave them a deserved lead which they clung to until half-time. Other first half chances went begging, the best coming from a 50 metre dash by scrum half Martin Uren which faltered close to the line through lack of support.

A try and conversion early in the second half by home stand off Justin Hewitt again put Ilkley ahead, but a thrilling 80 metre run to the line by Keighley wingman John Hinchliffe tied the scores before a Hewitt penalty goal re-established the Ilkley lead.

The loss of flanker Mark Lister and hooker Neil Scott severely disrupted Keighley's forward effort and resulted in their already erratic possession being even more restricted. They paid the penalty for having no specialist replacement hooker when a heel against the head by Ilkley on the Keighley 22 metre line led to a try by wingman Green. Shortly afterwards scrum half Carr exploited a glaring gap in Keighley's defence to cross for a further try converted by Hewitt.

Belatedly Keighley rallied and after a prolonged seige of the Ilkley line No 8 Andrew Tomlinson was rewarded for an enthusiastic performance with a well-taken try. John Harrison's conversion brought Keighley within striking range but an interception try by centre Taylor soon put an end to any aspirations Keighley might have held of snatching a win.

There were few Keighley players who emerged with credit. Full back Gary Davy was the pick of the backs before being replaced and second row man Peter Southgate made the most of his opportunity after joining the re-arranged pack at half-time. Young flanker Andrew Tomlinson continued along the learning curve and his never-say-die attitude was an example to his more senior colleagues.

The side is clearly capable of much better things and will need to produce its best for Saturday's crucial final league fixture against Beverley at Utley.

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