Bradford Salem 9 Keighley 13 - Keighley maintained their good form with a well merited victory over neighbours Bradford Salem, full back Matthew Cox's second half try proving decisive in a close and hard fought match.

They trailed by six points to three at the interval, Salem's talented stand off Matt Booth having landed two penalty goals to one by Cox.

It was, however, Keighley who generally looked the more comfortable. They held territorial advantage for much of the game and only rarely did the hosts manage to subdue their enthusiastic pack in which the young second row pairing of Ollie Sugden and Bob Clarke was always at the heart of things.

Clarke and Leigh Sugden had the better of the line out contest in difficult slippery conditions, but try scoring changes were rare, the backs cancelling each other out with firm tackling.

Keighley's best first half chance fell to Cox but he was unable to hang onto stand off, Johnny Harrison's pass with the line beckoning.

Regularly however, Booth's well directed kicks drove Keighley back and they did well to survive a series of attacking scrums close to their line as half-time approached, Salem's No.8 Mark Viner on one occasion being held only inches short.

In turn, Keighley applied pressure on the home line as the second half began, but they failed to capitalise in the face of a determined defence. Booth increased the lead with his third penalty goal as Keighley rued several missed kicks at goal, but they maintained their discipline and composure. Centres Matt Gaffney and Oliver Jackson tackled soundly and were always alert to the few attacking chances which came their way.

The now familiar 'one-two' between Harrison and Cox eventually gave Keighley the lead.

After a well won line out by Clarke, Harrison's well timed pass found Cox at full pace and he rounded the Salem full back to touch down between the posts before adding the conversion.

A fine penalty goal by Harrison from near touch increased Keighley lead to four points and his accurate touch kicking kept Salem at bay as the minutes ticked away.

With both sides aware that a try by the Bradford side could gain them victory, Keighley were forced to ensure a torrid final assault on their line. Their frantic defence held out however, culminating in crunching tackles by Clarke and replacement Richard Leach which forced Salem to concede a vital penalty. Harrison's relieving kick to touch signalled the end of an absorbing contest which provided further evidence of Keighley's potential for the rest of the league campaign.

In the next game, Liam McGee is given his first start of the season at stand off and Nigel Curr returns at centre. In the pack, Bob Clarke is resting a shoulder injury and Richard Leach starts in the second row.