Keighley Albion u-13s 32 King Cross Park u-13s 16

KEIGHLEY Albion ended a four-match losing spree with a win against old rivals King Cross.

With both teams not able to field full squads, the game was a close-run affair until Albion pulled clear with three late tries, with both teams prepared to have a go in this end-of-season friendly.

Albion started fast and some good hands out wide put Billy Lee in space. When it looked like he was wrapped up, he freed his arm to offload to Owen Anderson to race over for his first try for the club.

The hosts then hit a sloppy spot with penalties and unforced errors giving King Cross territory, and they capitalised with a couple of quick scores.

Back came Albion though with a real purple patch. Firstly, swift handling saw Riley Corby slice through the cover to score under the sticks, with Josh Dickerson converting.

The try of the game came immediately after when, exiting their own 30, Albion caught the visitors out. Fluid passing from Dickerson, Reece Smollen and Ben McParland gave Corby the space to send Lee racing clear from halfway with Dickerson once again converting.

Albion started the second half sloppily and although the contact in defence was much better than in previous games, the transition back to the defensive line gave the visitors space to draw level.

Dickerson’s kick-off into space was collected by Lee who raced towards the line and, although he was stopped, Dickerson saw the space from acting half and twisted over to score, with Caleb McConville adding the extras.

Albion put the game to bed with two more tries from Lee, the last featuring two brilliant cut-out balls from Smollen and McParland.

Despite conceding four tries, Albion’s contact in defence was vastly improved.

Albion play their final game of the season at home to Drighlington on Saturday.