Beverley 9, Keighley 5

Rather than use the worn cliche of a game of two halves for this Courage League game at Beverley, the kindest comment would be that Keighley seemed to drop a gear or two in the second half.

They turned round 5-3 up thanks to a try by Danny Mavro.

Once again the slick passing of the forwards opened the door for the fullback to score. The ball flew from Simon Atkins to Micky Feather and back to Atkins again before passing to Warren Knowles who put Mavro clear to finish off a move which started just inside the Keighley half.

The defensive play by Keighley forwards was always excellent, but in attack too much good ball was kicked away and the backs were not brought into the game enough.

This was evident when, in the first half with the wind in their faces and having conceded four penalties, Keighley's running of the ball brought them their try, the only one of the game.

Beverley scored only one goal from the penalties awarded, and with the wind behind should, with the pressure and territorial advantage, have scored more points.

The referee was very much in evidence with the constant use of his whistle, unlike the previous week when the official let the game roll and was hardly seen. The cold conditions seemed to make the hands and fingers not want to give, or take, the ball cleanly.

The absence of Mark Lister after 30 minutes seemed to reduce the attacking formulae of the forwards.

In the second half the Keighley side seemed to rest on their narrow two-point lead and conceded a penalty, which was goaled, and also received a yellow card for an unknown infringement, and a further drop goal put the game out of Keighley's sight.

Beverley won the close fought contest by turning penalties into points, while Keighley chose the wrong option too often, giving the ball away.

Over recent years Keighley have always had to face forwards who are much taller and heavier than their own, and yet in both open and set play have matched them for skill. Very few have broken the Keighley spirit and Beverley were no different, but having gained territorial advantage the Keighlians kicked the ball back into the oppositions hands far too often.

n TWO perfectly executed tries and 40 minutes of dogged defence set the foundation for Keighley 2nd XV's 19-5 victory over Blackburn.

Keighley tackled, covered and attacked with a determination which the visitors could not match.

After 10 minutes centre Michael Scarborough judged his line and timing to perfection to accelerate onto a pass from fly half Andy Hoppe and cut cut cleanly through to offer an inside pass for Guy Taylor to crash over in the corner. On the half hour Ieuan Morgan picked up a loose lineout ball, powered through the Blackburn defence and with No8 Tim Dodkin on his shoulder to take a superb try scoring pass.

Among the highlights of the first half were two towering touchline conversions from Scarborough as Keighley secured a 14-0 lead.

Blackburn proved themselves tenacious opponents and were rewarded with an unconverted try after strong forward play enabled quick ball to their backs to create an overlap out wide. This spurred Keighley to more endeavour and 10 minutes before time, and after continued pressure, the pack secured good ball which enabled Darren Ideson to drive over and seal a well deserved victory for an impressive Keighley side.

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