Lukewarm Keighley come good late on to win at Leodiensian

They started well enough and immediately had long periods in opposition territory.

However, Leos absorbed the pressure and, through a series of penalties for breakdown infringements, forced their way into the Keighley 22.

Solid work from the forwards and some neat inter-passing almost brought a try, only for a last-ditch tackle to dislodge the ball.

A little later, a further foray into Keighley territory gained a well taken try in the corner for livewire scrum half Ruariadh Fowler.

Keighley stemmed further Leodiensian attacks and that led to a stalemate in midfield.

Both sides traded penalties, Keighley through Alex Brown and Leos with Fowler.

At this stage of the game, the visitors were 8-3 down and although they were gaining good possession, they were not making much ground in the wide open spaces, despite winger Sam Blakeley doing his best.

Instead, they tended to use Emile Van Zyl and Sean Kelly to drive through the middle.

Leos managed to stop the charge but were forced to concede at least two kickable penalties, but Keighley surprising chose to scrummage from both, and poor work in possession meant those chances were lost.

Almost on the stroke of half-time, some good work from the Keighley backs was rewarded with an excellent try for burly prop forward Andy Hayes.

Brown added the conversion, which meant the away side took a narrow 10-8 lead into the interval.

Keighley increased their tempo from the off after the break, and pressured Leos at every opportunity.

Some neat work from Kelly and Ben Stead carved out an opportunity, only for an attempted miracle pass to go to ground.

Ben Stead almost helped set up a Keighley try in the second half while they were still only two points in front. (Image: John Ashton.)

Even though Keighley were prone to errors, they still managed to keep the play in the opposition territory.

The resulting pressure led to a scrum and a Keighley penalty that Brown duly landed to put his side 13-8 ahead.

Forward Adam Kemp was brought off the bench with around half-an-hour to go and his presence made a big difference.

He was outstanding in both attack and defence, with his extra drive and energy lifting the team.

And after Brown’s third successful penalty put Keighley 16-8 in front, it was Kemp who finished the hosts off.

He was smart in playing a knock-on advantage on 69 minutes, which allowed him to force his way over to score, Brown landing the conversion.

Leos, with Fowler the heartbeat of the team, threw everything they had at Keighley, but they were forced to attack from deep in their own territory, up against a resolute visiting defence.

With time running out, Keighley were sensible enough to close the game down up until the final whistle.

Keighley remain unbeaten but are only fourth, and they will be looking for an improved performance next week when they host ninth-placed Old Rishworthian.