Horden 10, Keighley 16

KEIGHLEY picked themselves up after the previous week's disappointment at Goole to record a well earned victory over Horden.

As expected the visitors had a clear advantage in weight and height up front but Keighley seldom conceded ground or possession. The front row was in particularly impressive form and flanker Mark Lister outstanding in attack and defence.

Horden applied early pressure through their forwards but Keighley's tackling was sound and they increasingly took the initiative. Horden's Raine and Keighley's Atkin failed with penalty goal attempts before a powerful run by Kevin Young released hooker Neil Scott on a 20 metre dash to line where he lost control of the ball in a tackle. The visitors were, however, unable to clear the danger and a penalty goal by Simon Atkin set Keighley on their way.

Another scoring chance went begging as Keighley's backs took play to the Horden line but a storming run by Lister set up a try for Neil Scott shortly afterwards. Wingman John Hinchliffe was prominent with some elusive running as Keighley piled on the pressure and a sweeping attack by backs Mavro, Emmott and Knowles, stretched the Horden defence to the full, allowing Keighley to snatch another try when Simon Atkin sneaked over in the corner.

As half-time approached Keighley looked comfortable with their 13 point lead, but they were jolted by a try by Horden wingman Wiffen who took advantage of Keighley's hesitation as they anticipated referee Tony Bird's offside decision, to pick up and run over unopposed.

The loss of hooker Scott with a knee injury was a blow to Keighley, although prop Robert Riley who replaced him performed admirably. Horden, however, suffered a more severe set back when flanker Young was dismissed for an unsofisticated punch on Keighley's Chris Weatherill.

As often happens the loss of a player galvanised his side into greater effort and a close range try by No 7 Greenlaw set up a tense climax to the game.

A penalty goal by Simon Atkin eased Keighley's anxieties and they were sufficiently aroused to finish the game with a startling display of handling and running skills by the front row mafia of Marklew, Riley and Duffy which almost overshaddowed on the day the best efforts of the three quarters.

KEIGHLEY U16s 17

POCKLINGTON U16s 24

Commitment, skill, a stirring fightback. This Yorkshire Cup had all those in abundance but unfortunately for Keighley it also contained the disappointment of defeat. Early tries in each half by Pocklington proved crucial scores as the Utley youngsters fought hard to get back into the game.

The visitors had started well, enjoying the lions share of possession, but Keighley's defence responded well with Nigel Curr, Andrew Marklew and Ben Strafford prominent. The pressure eventually told and Pocklington crossed for an unconverted try quickly followed by a second when the Keighley defence got in a tangle.

Keighley came more into the game as an attacking force but the concession of a try almost straight after the restart left them with a hopeless task. A fourth try to the visitors seemed only to confirm Keighley's exit but prompted by the probing of scrum half Ian Woodwiss and the strong running of Nigel Curr, Emlyn Butterfield and Adam Pawlowka Keighley staged a thrilling comeback.

Ian Woodwiss dummied his way through the cover linked with his three quarters before taking a return pass and going under the posts. He followed up with a second from a quick tap soon after and Keighley were back in the hunt. With possession more plentiful they pressed Pocklington into desperate defence and a charged down kick at a scrum allowed Chris Cooper to dive on the loose ball and put Keighley within seven points.

They could have got closer but with time running out a try scoring pass went to ground in the right corner as Keighley played their best rugby. It was not enough though and the visitors held out for the win in a very entertaining game.

Keighley now go into the plate competition which sees them travel to Leodiensians in Leeds this coming Sunday.

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