In the baking heat, Keighley withstood a stern test from a strong Wetherby side to earn a second narrow away win in a row in Counties One Yorkshire on Saturday.

The 14-10 victory means Keighley sit just a point off the summit of the embryonic league table after two games.

A penalty from Alex Brown for a high tackle calmed early Keighley nerves, but the game was always going to be hard work given the conditions and the home team’s muscular, forward-orientated approach.

However Keighley’s back row of captain Tom Whyte, ably supported by Jake Parkinson and Olly Snowden, were superb both in attack and defence.

After a period of midfield attrition Wetherby gained possession from a lineout, and after a series of solid forward drives, they crossed for a converted score.

Keighley, with their forwards gaining parity, tried to move the ball wide as often as they could, while Wetherby were more intent on taking the ball up the middle.

Strong defence from both teams was the dominant factor, but a well-constructed Keighley move was broken down due to offside, which resulted in a further penalty for Alex Brown to reduce the deficit to 7-6.

Just before half-time, some fine work from a scrum gave full-back Alfie Seeley chance to join the line and pop a neat pass to Jack Atkinson who did well to score out wide, giving his side the lead back.

In the second half, Keighley started well but whatever they tried broke down against a solid wall of defence.

At this stage of the game, the heat was taking its toll.

Although both teams tried their best to play open rugby, mistakes were being made, which led to a long period of midfield stalemate.

Eventually, chasing the game, Wetherby forced a penalty and scored from it, moving 11-10 behind.

As the final whistle approached, both teams tried their best to gain a result and excellent defence from Keighley weathered a series of attacks from Wetherby.

A late rally from the visitors into the opposition half gained another penalty for Brown, who landed that to put his side four points ahead.

Needing a try to win, Wetherby threw everything they had at Keighley, but the resolute visitors held out.

And when they gained possession in the last few minutes, Keighley wisely kept the ball in the forwards and ran the clock down to the final whistle. This game was never a game for the purists, rather a war of attrition that tested the new tackle laws to the full.

But it was a vital win for Keighley and they will look to make it three wins from three in the league at home to Leodiensian this Saturday.