York RI's first visit to Keighley for many years ended in defeat as their patched up side went down 42-10 in poor conditions.

With a number of first team players away for the New Year break, it was a much changed side that made the trip to Keighley.

On a pitch that was only just playable RI soon found themselves in arrears.

Centre Lee Sugden jinked his way through the RI defence to score under the posts. Ex-Wharfedale stand- off, John Harrison, converted to give the home side a 7-0 lead.

Strong running by David Sowray and Ashley Casey, combined with good back play brought RI back into the game and for a ten-minute spell they pressurised the Keighley defence.

Sadly final passes went astray and RI ended up with nothing for their efforts. Keighley extended their lead on the half hour when Harrison kicked the first of his three first-half penalties, given for RI transgressions.

At 16-0 down, RI were still in the game, but on the stroke of half-time, winger Knowles broke through some weak RI tackling and scored in the corner. Harrison again converted to give Keighley a 23-0 half-time lead.

The second-half started badly for RI when centre Danny McGee followed a hack through to score. RI had not given up hope and scored two tries in quick succession. First winger Peter Carr outstripped his opposing winger to score and then centre Ericson Atkins muscled his way over. At 30-10 RI had the door slightly open but two tries almost on time by James Kubran and Kevin Young, one converted by Harrison, gave Keighley a deserved victory.

Updated: 11:34 Monday, December 31, 2001