NEW Earswick All Blacks are still second in the Yorkshire Men’s League first division after a 26-14 victory over newly-promoted Keighley Albion.

The All Blacks got off to a flying start when stand off Tom Barron crossed after three minutes with his trademark ‘show, go, and stretch.’

Half back Conor Calam, making his second open age start, missed the conversion.

Dean Smith doubled the lead with his second try of the season in the left corner but, again, Calam was out of luck with the kick.

Keighley rallied and crossed on 21 minutes after NEAB conceded two penalties in their own half.

Fortunately, the kick hit the sticks and bounced wide.

Alex Wilkins scored the first of a brace of tries after Barron’s kick was scooped up on the right wing by Sam Cooper.

It was then a case of third time lucky for Calam who added the extras with his boot.

Barron completed his brace with an almost identical try to the first, stretching out over the line. Calam missed the kick.

Trailing 20-4 at half-time, Keighley came out with renewed purpose. NEAB managed to weather the storm for 12 minutes before the line finally gave way. The conversion was missed.

Keighley scored a converted try six minutes later to reduce the lead to six points.

The loss of full back Ewen Coverdale with an ankle injury then sparked a re-shuffle in positions and NEAB’s bench was exhausted of fit players.

The referee also needed to have words with both team captains as the penalties began to add up.

Calam gave NEAB some breathing space when kicking a penalty in the 71st minute.

Man of the match Sean Malarkey then sent Alex Wilkins away down the right and he touched down in the corner. Calam was unable to add the extras.