Keighley 19, Goole 13

KEIGHLEY put behind them their recent spell of poor form with a gritty performance against a strong Goole side. Their win hoists them to fourth place in the League.

In a tense close fought game neither side was able to dominate. Both teams made light of the heavy pitch to produce some excellent open play, although no quarter was given by either pack in the sometimes fierce forward encounters. Goole went into a six point lead early in the game with a penalty goal by standoff Ruhman followed by a fine drop goal by the same player, but by half-time three penalty goals by Keighley standoff John Harrison had edged Keighley ahead. Keighley had the clearer try scoring chances in the first half, firstly when a good run by wing man Nick Wright followed by a kick ahead, almost produced a try for number 8 Chris Weatherill and shortly afterwards when a spilled pass in the centre denied the backs a try. Scrum half Martin Uren instigated several promising raids on the Goole line but the visitors' defence held firm. As half-time approached Keighley were forced back to their line and only a magnificent tackle by second row forward Darren Close prevented a Goole score.

The turning point in the game was a thrilling 50 yard run to the line by Keighley centre Kevin Young after an interception on half way by Harrison. With admirable discretion he quickly fed his supporting centre who held off a posse of pursuing Goole players. Harrison's conversion stretched the lead to ten points.

Good work by the Goole back row of Wilson Cawood and Jackson brought the best out of Keighley's defence but after a spell of pressure the visitors' lively scrum half Hawksworth nipped through a gap for a well taken try converted by Ruhman, setting up a tense climax to the game. The result was put beyond doubt by a late penalty goal by Harrison.

The foundation for the victory was a tenacious performance by Keighley's pack in which number 8 Weatherill and second row man Darren Close played an outstanding part and were well supported by a solid front row. In the backs wing man Nick Wright continued his promising form with some elusive running and there were eye catching performances by Kevin Young, wing man Richard Emmott and scrum half Martin Uren.

The victory alleviates Keighley's immediate relegation worries but with games against the top three sides before the end of the month Keighley will need to be at their best to avoid a slide down the table.

n Keighley 3rds got the new year underway with a short trip to Bradford & Bingley, and scoring after only five minutes.

Keighley's centres sent David Williams in for a try which he also converted before the Bees hit back with an unconverted score.

Rod Scarborough kept up the attack to give Keighley a 12-5 lead and they still held the advantage at the break despite allowing Bingley a soft try in the corner. To make matters worse the home side scored twice in the opening minutes of the second half to pull out a 15-point lead.

Keighley's pack got its reward when they pushed B&B back over their line for Mat Angus to score 10 minutes from time. Young Williams added his second conversion to put Keighley back in the game.

But Bingley were in no mood to give up and gained the last try to secure a 34-19 victory.

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