Keighley graft hard to beat Hullensians on opening day

The hosts started brightly, as new loosehead prop George Altham burst through and ran hard for the opposition line, only for determined defending to stop him going over for an early try on debut.

Keighley, with a lot of possession, finally managed to cross the line after a series of drives gave No.8 Max Wild the chance to power his way over, the ever-reliable Alex Brown adding the conversion.

Hullensians were stung into action and probed through the middle and at the edges, eventually winning a well-deserved long-range penalty that full back Grant Bridgeman did well to convert.

Keighley raised the tempo of the game and some strong running from centres Adam Horsfall and Ben Stead gained a lot of territory.

However, the Hullensians defence was well-organised and broke down every attempt to break through in the backs.

Although Keighley attempted to move the ball at every opportunity, it was route one hard forward work that won through in the end.

Powerful drives and close support from a line out gave second row Ed Keighley the chance to break free and pop a pass to hooker Shaun Minikin, who scored a converted try.

Shaun Minikin made his way over for one of Keighley's three first-half tries. (Image: John Ashton.)

Towards the end of the half, Wild broke from the back of a scrum, and though he was stopped just short of the try line, the ball was recycled into the hands of Sean Kelly.

The experienced back drew the last man expertly before delivering a pass to Horsfall, who scored wide out to give Keighley a healthy 19-3 lead at the break.

In the second half, Hullensians signalled their intent, as some hard work from both forwards and backs gained an early penalty, that Bridgeman landed from long-range.

Keighley fought back, yet were too prone to slow ball at the breakdown or giving away penalties, which spoiled a number of promising moves.

Hullensians, although suffering at the scrum, never gave up and some hard running, especially from scrum half Craig Wallis and centre Manoa Wacokecoke gained territory.

They were rewarded in the end, after a lineout on Keighley’s five metre line was well set up and driven over by the forwards, the accurate boot of Bridgeman adding the conversion.

Keighley, at this stage of the game, were dominating possession, but everything they were trying was broken down by the defensive wall set up by Hullensians.

In the end, Keighley were relieved to force a penalty, which Alex Brown converted to put his side 22-13 in front.

Hullensians gave it all they had to force their way back into the game, but were unable to add to their score.

That meant it was a good start to the season for Keighley, especially with their new signings appearing to bed in nicely.

They will look to make it two league wins from two when they host Bridlington this Saturday, with kick-off at 3pm.