AFTER what was a game of two halves, Keighley stayed at the Yorkshire Two summit with a 37-10 home win over Wheatley Hills.
The first half was a tense affair between two well-matched teams.
Keighley had the better of the first quarter, and with outside half Alex Brown and centre Sean Kelly controlling the midfield, they came very close to scoring on a number of occasions.
But although the backs had a glut of possession from all phases of play, they were unable to break down a very strong Wheatley Hills defence.
In the second quarter, the momentum changed.
Wheatley Hills' dominant scrum and some clever probing play from their outside half Niall Crowcroft gained them good field position.
Towards the end of the half, the Wheatley forwards provided an excellent platform for some dynamic back play and only some desperate try saving tackles held them at bay.
But just before the end of the half, one of the Wheatley Hills centres was red carded for a high tackle, and with that the game turned on its head.
In the second half, Keighley took advantage of their extra man, breaking the stalemate with two well-taken tries.
The first came from crisp lineout possession, full back Alfie Seeley made the extra man, and after a quick pass, winger Jack Atkinson was in at the corner.
Minutes later, young winger Kristian Bealey-Kaye took the ball infield, produced a chip and chase and scored a superb try under the posts, which was converted by Brown.
Wheatley Hills recovered their composure and worked their way upfield for a deserved try for wing forward Rob Taylor.
Keighley once again turned the screw and gained a penalty for Alex Brown and midway through the half, the opposition started to fade.
The Keighley forwards as a unit were providing good possession and gaining field position.
Their efforts were rewarded with tries from props Sam Booker and Sam Cleaver, one of which was converted by Brown.
Towards the end of the half, Keighley dominated, and some neat back play led to a try for Seeley and a second for winger Atkinson.
At the death, Wheatley Hills grabbed a well taken try for winger Stuart Hughes.
In the end, it was a deserved bonus point win for Keighley, and this Saturday, they will hope to maintain their winning run, away at North Ribblesdale, who are currently 10th in the 14-team table.
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