Keighley Albion Ladies 50

Halifax Ladies 9

KEIGHLEY Albion Ladies stormed into the third round of the Coral Women's Challenge Cup following a comprehensive derby win over Halifax.

Albion hosted the second round tie on a blustery pitch at Crossflatts Cricket Club in Bingley.

Keighley, with a good crowd of supporters, fielded a squad of 15 players.

Halifax opened up the scoring after a penalty where they opted for a kick.

Keighley replied with a dive over the line through Laura Ackroyd which was converted by Amy Illingworth.

Sarah Shillito, with half the Halifax pack on her back, managed to dive over for Keighley’s second try.

Ackroyd, with a mirror image of Shillito, also dived over with extras coming from Illingworth.

Emma Templeton powered over for a fantastic solo effort and steamrollered the Halifax defence. This made the half-time score 22-2 to Keighley Albion.

After the interval, Saima Hussain ran around the Halifax squad with a fantastic individual performance and scored for the hosts.

Ackroyd set off dummying the Halifax opposition and left them standing to go over for her hat-trick try, Illingworth with extras.

New Albion player Lisa Pearson was next for Keighley as she dived over after a great run.

Templeton, after a set play, finished off with a lot of work to do, but managed to dive over. Illingworth converted.

Halifax made a mistake when they kicked the ball to full-back Hollie Haigh, who ran home for a full-length try. This was also converted.

Sarah Runner Cartwright mirrored Haigh and ran the full length of teh field for her try during Sunday's cup clash.

Halifax then got a try of their own and kick and then followed with a open play drop goal to make the final score 50-9 to Keighley Albion.

Plaudits for Albion have to especially got to their new forward Faye Burnhill and also Nicole Hannah, who both ran and tackled all day long. Also new player Lisa Pearson and Kelly Wood who both played brilliantly. Joint players of the match for Albion were Ackroyd and Burnhill.

This victory sees Keighley's squad going from strength to strength.

It will now be a couple of weeks off now for their growing squad after their League One clash at Whitley Bay Barbarians, originally scheduled for this Sunday, has been postponed and will be re-arranged.

Keighley Albion Ladies team is open to all females from 16 years old.

For more information on the team and training, which takes place every Thursday between 6pm and 7.30pm at Crossflatts Cricket Club, Bingley, email Lancaster at sarah.handbag@yahoo.com.

Tickets for the Coral Challenge Cup triple header at the University of Bolton Stadium on July 27, including the Coral Women’s Challenge Cup Final, are available from rugby-league.com/tickets/challenge_cup_semi-final

Women's Coral Challenge Cup Second Round: Thursday, May 24: Castleford Tigers 48 Featherstone Rovers 4; Sunday, May 26: York City Knights 0 Leeds Rhinos 70; Keighley Albion 50 Halifax 9; Barrow 18 Warrington Wolves 38; RAF Ladies 0 Bradford Bulls 56; Stanningley 0 St Helens 96; Army RL 14 Wigan Warriors 50.