HEWORTH were made to work hard for victory against Keighley Albion and only put the game to bed with three tries in the final 30 minutes.

The hosts took the lead in the first set of six tackles after siblings Dave and Mark Hayes combined to send scrum half Liam Jackson racing away under the posts. Loose forward Joe Deighton added the conversion.

Visitors Keighley hit back four minutes later with a try from former Cougars full back Gavin Duffy, improved by hooker Cal Hudson.

They then went 12-6 ahead on 24 minutes when centre Kris Gott crossed for another Hudson goaled effort.

Heworth restored parity on the half-hour mark when a defence-splitting pass from player-coach George Elliott sent stand-off Lewis Brown striding over the line. Deighton added the extras.

Two minutes later, a crossfield kick by Deighton was spilled by an Albion defender allowing Elliott to touch down in the corner.

Four minutes from the break, Deighton put Jackson through for his second try to give Heworth a 20-12 interval lead.

Two minutes into the second period, Keighley set the home nerves jangling after reducing the deficit to two points, with Gott registering a brace and Hudson adding his third conversion.

The Black and Whites steadied the ship, however, and on 50 minutes, hooker Dave Hayes dummied his way over after good work by second-rower Liam Richmond. Deighton slotted the conversion.

On the hour, a strong burst by Deighton down the right led to a quick ‘play-the-ball’ which enabled winger Callum Worthington to score by the posts. Deighton’s fourth successful kick made it 32-18.

Heworth put the result beyond doubt with five minutes remaining when a superb ball from Brown put Deighton in for the try. 36-18.

Victory lifted Heworth back to the top of the Yorkshire Men’s League division one table.