Illingworth u-12s 10 Keighley Albion u-12s 24

KEIGHLEY Albion began their campaign with a local friendly game against Illingworth and turned in a good first performance to overturn a deficit with 10 minutes remaining to seal victory.

Starting tentatively with some new players, Albion looked threatening but dropped balls and penalties saw Illingworth take advantage when their huge prop twisted over the line, despite a number of would-be tacklers.

Albion eventually gained some territory, with half-backs Reece Smollen and Olly MacNab spreading play. Despite blowing a few opportunities, they eventually scored when Josh Dickerson took advantage of a large overlap to dummy over, with Caleb McConville converting.

After the break, a kick out wide saw the hosts back in front. This ignited Albion and the last quarter was all the visitors, with Kern Weatherill and Zak Bailey making thrilling dashes deep into Illingworth’s half.

Great backs play on two occasions released Ben McParland, who used his strength and pace to take the visitors in front and then more than one score clear after McConville and MacNab converted.

With Albion close to the hosts' line, Smollen, who had been moving the ball with ease, threw an outrageous dummy before cantering over the line, MacNab completing the scoring.

With a friendly lined up against one of the county’s top dogs in Siddal later in the month, this victory will give Albion the confidence to hopefully have a great season.