Selby 13, Keighley 15

If the previous week’s game was nail-biting, there were no fingernails left after this one.

Playing against a powerful wind, Keighley dominated territory and possession, only for determined defence to frustrate them.

When Selby gained any form of possession, the ball was instantly lofted into the air for the wind to take it deep into the Keighley half.

With their line-out and scrum working well and with Andy Mark-lew and Alex Brown controlling the direction of attack, Keighley maintained the pressure, Brown eventually breaking the deadlock with a well-taken penalty.

Selby, with the promptings of outside half Quinn, raised their game and took play into the Keigh-ley half. A series of rucks and quick ball gave full back Adam Walton the opportunity to score under the posts, Quinn converting.

A little later, Quinn added a pen-alty for offside. However, Keighley regrouped and fine drives from Leigh Sugden and the front row of Evan Griffin, Will Armitage and Paul ‘Slim’ Sinfield, well supported by their team-mates, made in-roads into the Selby defence, all-owing Brown to release the backs.

With Scott Dyson driving down the middle and Adam Balderstone linking well with full back Mark Beckett and winger Mark Brett, they came close to scoring on a number of occasions.

The only consolation for their efforts was a penalty from Brown on the stroke of half-time.

Selby, realising that they were going to be under pressure in the forwards, strengthened their pack with the experienced Jason Cicero.

With a small lead and the wind faltering, Selby generally followed Keighley’s first-half example, using the forwards up the middle.

Then they moved the ball quickly down the right into the hands of speedy winger Alex Arthur. The pressure told and Quinn landed an easy penalty for offside.

Keighley managed to hold off a wave of attacks and then, through the strength and attacking ability of their forwards, worked play downfield. Although they were camped in Selby’s 22 for extended periods, they lacked the precision to convert pressure into points.

Selby gained confidence from this and threw everything into attack. One of their best moves down the right was stopped by a high tackle, for which winger Sam Walker was yellow-carded. Strangely enough, this seemed to focus Keighley’s efforts. With a dominant scrum and immaculate line-out work from Dave Lister, they once again turned the screw.

Although the Selby defence was up to the task, they chose to in-fringe at rucks, giving Brown two penalties and a valuable six points.

With minutes remaining and two points the difference, there was a ferocious rainstorm.

When the rain finally stopped, Keighley put everything they had into a final attack down the left.

Once again the Selby forwards infringed and a penalty was awarded on the touchline. Brown’s first thought was to kick to the corner. However, the referee informed him that there were only 20 seconds left.

He had to go for goal but, with a kick worthy of Jonny Wilkinson, Brown calmly delivered another victory for Keighley.

On Saturday, Keighley are at Leodiensians in the first round of the Yorkshire Shield.