Keighley RUFC made club history last Saturday when they battled to a 0-0 draw against Yorkshire 1 leaders Sandal at Utley. Draws themselves are not so common but pointless ones are.
According to statistics provided by Keighley RUFC secretary Alden Phillips, since leagues were introduced in the 1986-87 season, 21 seasons ago, Keighley have played 344 matches and been involved in eight draws including last Saturday but never a 0-0.
Phillips said: "The nearest we have come to a 0-0 draw was in the 2003-04 season on Easter Saturday, April 10, when we played Huddersfield YMCA at Huddersfield.
"They could not raise a front row so the game had to be played with uncontested scrums and league rules stated that the non-offending team (ie Keighley) gain two points for the win' but the score is deemed to be 0-0. The actual score was 27-10 to Keighley."
Taking a leaf from their defensive display at Bradford Salem from the previous week, Saturday was another magnificent rearguard action by relegation-threatened Keighley.
Sandal could have won the game with an 80th-minute penalty but full back Chris Reakes' effort bounced back off the far upright.
Defeat would have been harsh on Keighley, who were beaten 66-3 at Sandal back in September Keighley's performance was even more impressive, considering several regular first teamers were missing through injury or work commitments.
Phillips said: "It was a tremendous defensive effort although we did try to throw the ball around a bit."
With relegation threatening the Keighley players stepped up to the mark and Phillips said that the added pressure can bring out the best in players.
"It does tend to raise your game as players put in super-human efforts."
Keighley are now fourth from bottom in Yorkshire One with 13 points from 20 games played.
Sheffield have 12 points, Huddersfield YMCA eight and Redcar only two. However all three have a game in hand on Keighley.
Keighley chairman Bob Swift said: "That point we got on Saturday will be critical."
Phillips said: "We're not safe," but added that another issue could arise which could have an impact on the bottom of the table.
He said that Redcar have indicated that they don't want to go down to Yorkshire Two but would rather rejoin the Northumberland League.
He said the issue will have to be resolved by the RFU's Northern Division sub-committee.
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