Keighley lost their last fixture of the season 16-3 at Durham City in a poor game of rugby between two relegated teams.

From the outset it was apparent that Keighley were the stronger outfit in the scrums and Durham bossed the lineout.

With perfect weather conditions there was an expectation of an end-of-season flowing game. Unfortunately this was not to be.

The play was littered with imprecision and basic handling errors from both teams.

Early Durham pressure resulted in a penalty for scrum half Paul Armstrong. Keighley’s Ben Blackwell levelled the score with a penalty from wide out.

With the half-time whistle beckoning, a Keighley passage of play broke down allowing Durham to steal possession. The ball was moved wide, giving outside half Arnie Stevenson an easy run in through a non-existent defence, Armstrong converted.

The second half continued in the same vein, Keighley’s game plan involving an obsession with a route-one approach, battering the ball up field through the forwards.

Durham, with more to offer, were intent on moving the ball wide and their pressure paid off with a further two penalties for Armstrong.

Towards the end of the game, any chance that Keighley had disappeared when the scrums became uncontested through injuries to Durham props.

City ended the game strongly and deserved their league points.