Graeme Sheffield has hailed predecessor Jeff Inman for his part in establishing Keighley’s defensive strength.

The Rose Cottagers go into Saturday’s home game with Castleford on the back of an impressive two clean sheets.

The 13-0 victory over Heath was followed up last week with a 22-0 success at Dinnington and means only second-placed Sheffield have conceded fewer points in Yorkshire Division One.

And head coach Sheffield said the groundwork had been laid long before those triumphs when former coach Inman was at the helm.

He said: “We have worked very hard on our defence over the last three or four years and it started to show the year before last.

“It was something that Jeff Inman identified as a potential problem. We’ve worked on it and it’s definitely paid dividends.

“We had the second-best defensive record in the league last year and, although we have lost five games this season, we currently have the second-best record this campaign.”

Keighley have conceded 206 points in 14 games – the same number as leaders Malton & Norton, who have won all their 13 fixtures.

“We tend to build from defence and wait for the opposition to make a wrong decision,” added Sheffield.

“Positional play and field positions are important too but it certainly helps if you trust the defence, which we know how to do.”

Sheffield insists his team will look to become even tighter as Keighley bid to make it eight wins in nine games on Saturday.

“We won’t be taking our eye off defence. It’s not a spasmodic thing and we’ll be working on it tonight in training as we always look to improve.”

The third-placed Utley outfit have a point to prove against Castleford, whom they have not enjoyed much success against in recent seasons, including a 15-14 defeat earlier in the current campaign.

Sheffield said: “We were 14-0 up at half-time, having scored two tries, but they came back to win with five penalties.

“It was down to a bit of inexperience and us not concentrating for the full 80 minutes.”

Having won all six home games so far, Keighley are looking to extend their 100 per cent record.

Sheffield said: “We are absolutely full of confidence and bubbling at the moment.”

Back row Tom Lowther and prop Olly Sugden are both doubts with shoulder problems, while prop Paul Sinfield may have work commitments.

Jimmy Anson returns to the bench in place of Morgan Phillips, with Sheffield finalising a team tonight.

Keighley (home to Castleford) from: D McGee; L Uren, A Horsfall, M Ferrazzano, R Wilkinson, J Anson; A Brown, A Balderstone; C Spencer, O Sugden, W Armitage, P Sinfield, D Lister, S Inman, T Lowther, S Dyson, L Sugden, N Thornton, D Pullen.