Keighley head coach Graeme Sheffield admits losing two of three home fixtures in December feels like ‘a kick in the teeth’.

Like all outdoor games across the district, the Rose Cottagers’ Yorkshire One clash at home to Ilkley last weekend was a victim of the wintry weather.

Having played their first four league games away from home, the fourth-placed Utley side were hoping for some early Christmas cheer, with three home fixtures on the spin leading up to the festive period.

But those games will have to be rescheduled for next year, robbing Keighley of the chance to gain crucial momentum when they tend to be at their peak.

Sheffield said: “We are traditionally strong at this time of year and were looking forward to being at home for the whole of December and for the first game in January, so to lose two of those is a kick in the teeth.”

Meanwhile, scrum half Andy Marklew has announced his retirement after suffering a chronic hip problem.

* Keighley have organised a friendly with Bradford & Bingley on Sunday, January 2 at Wagon Lane (2pm).