Yorkshire Men's League Division One: Keighley Albion 32 Norland Sharks 34

ALBION were involved in yet another nail-biting game that went down to the wire as they just lost to second-placed Sharks.

Keighley had beaten leaders New Earswick 32-20 the week before and another victory would have put them level on points with Norland.

Albion started in the same fashion as normal, going behind from the off as Norland, playing downhill, took a two-try advantage as Lee Miller and Warren Smithies touched down.

The hosts woke up as a great angled run from Conner Meegan saw him go over and Cal Hudson added the extras before some outstanding footwork from Kris Gott saw him leave five players stuck on their feet as he danced round them to score.

The conversion was made and Albion were on a roll with big tackles from Gott and Jack Kennedy.

Player of the day Morgan Robinson went on one of his powerful runs to burst the Norland defence to touch down and increase the lead but Norland finished the first half strongly, scoring tries through Andy Goodwin and Mark Cassidy to post a 20-18 interval advantage.

Albion started the second half with some poor defence as a kick and chase saw Norland put the pressure on.

Keighley claimed the ball was knocked on but the referee thought it had been kicked and a try for Joe Jackson was rewarded.

Albion responded with a great show-and-go from Meegan to bag his second try.

Norland hit back with a try from Nathan Parkinson - Albion again claiming another knock on - before play was stopped for 45 minutes after Sharks player Ricky Storey had gone down with a neck injury after a collision with Hudson in the build-up to the try.

The player was taken to hospital, with Albion later receiving confirmation Storey had been discharged with whiplash and bruising.

When the game was restarted Albion once again were slow to get going and, with only 18 minutes left to play, Norland extended their lead as Danny Gardiner went over.

An altercation held play up again as the players became fired up. Strong running from Dan Cook, Alfie Seeley and Conner Taylor got Albion down field and made space for Kennedy to go over for a try. The conversion was not given, even though it looked to have gone over.

More great play from Seeley saw him take Albion down field once again, Taylor receiving the ball out wide to finish off for the try.

Albion went on the attack again and sensed victory but the referee blew for full time, with the hosts expecting another eight minutes according to their timings.

Albion visit York Acorn on Saturday, while the second team entertain Bentley Royals.