Yorkshire Men's League Division One: Keighley Albion 32 New Earswick All Blacks 30

KEIGHLEY Albion claimed a big scalp as they inflicted only the second defeat of the season on leaders New Earswick.

A tight game looked in prospect, especially when, in the fourth minute, the visitors were awarded a penalty 20 metres out and opted to kick the goal.

Albion, playing up hill in the first half, rarely got over the halfway line and were struggling to complete their sets.

It took 17 minutes before Albion put a good set of passes together to send their man of the match Cal Hudson over the line for the first try, with Finlay Meegan converting.

Keighley were again pinned back, with Owen Palmer making a good tackle on the try line to stop New Earswick scoring on the fifth tackle.

Albion hit back as Hudson flicked the ball out of the back for Gav Duffy to score the second try, Meegan converting again to make it 12-2.

All Blacks responded with two converted tries but Jack Atkinson raced wide up the hill for Keighley's third try, Hudson's conversion leaving them 18-14 up at the break.

Albion started strongly downhill and it only took two minutes of the second half for their first score.

Meegan looked almost certain to be dragged over the touchline in the bottom right-hand corner but managed to offload for Jack Kennedy to dive over the line, Hudson's boot making it 24-14.

New Earswick did not give up and went over for the next converted try but Hudson restored the ten-point advantage with his second try, which he converted.

A penalty from Hudson extended their lead before some good defensive work from the returning Liam Kelly and Chris Spencer kept New Earswick at bay.

The visitors' pressure then took its toll as they scored two tries but a missed conversion attempt meant Albion sneaked home by two points.

Next up for Albion at Crossflatts is a visit from Norland Sharks on Saturday (2.30pm).

Keighley Albion: G Duffy, J Atkinson, M Robinson, C Spencer, O Palmer, A Seeley, J Donnelly, J Kennedy, C Hudson, J Preston, D Jackson, L Kelly, F Meegan, C Meegan, J Barnes, E Lawrie, R Spencer.