Keighley 3 Wharfedale 2nds 8
In the most demanding of conditions Keighley and the Wharfedale Foresters contributed to a remarkably open game at Utley on Saturday.
Incessant heavy rain failed to stifle the ambitions of both sets of backs who kicked, ran and passed with commendable skill and endeavour, albeit without often threatening the try lines.
Keighley's heavier pack gave them the advantage throughout most of the first half, with Leigh and Ollie Sugden and Rob Clarke in particular often making good progress and Dave Pullen scrapping well for the loose ball on the ground. Backs Adam Balderstone, Nigel Curr and Mark Beckett showed up well in attack and de-fence whilst stand off Alex Brown was calm and assured at all times.
Starved of possession for long periods, Wharfedale's potentially dangerous backs posed little early threat, although their more inventive approach in attack indicated their free scoring capabilities. Keighley's tactics were generally more pragmatic.
Brown, Rob Wilkinson and Balderstone combined well to give Beckett space before he was forced into touch 20 metres short of the line and a strong cross-field run by Curr was halted two metres out.
As the rain intensified the prospect of another pointless draw became more real until Brown broke the deadlock with a penalty goal after the visitors offended at a ruck in front of the posts to give Keighley a narrow half-time lead.
Both sides continued to show admirable stamina and skill in the second half, but in spite of the considerable efforts of the Keighley forwards, there were increasing signs that the visitors were surviving the conditions the better.
The introduction of youngster Will Bell as a replacement for former Keighley stand off Chris Meehan proved to be the turning point in the game. Almost before he had dirtied his shirt he slotted over a penalty goal to tie the scores and then secured victory for his side with a slicing sprint to the line for a try.
A strong run by Curr briefly threatened the visitors' defence but they held out for a victory they just about deserved.
In a rearranged fixture on Saturday Keighley are at home to Bradford Salem in the quarter-final of the Yorkshire Shield competition. Kick-off is at 3pm.
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