Division Five

Keighley Albion 32 East Leeds 12

ALBION got the season for their relaunched open-age side underway with an opening-day win.

Second rower Chris Price was making up for lost time as he returned to action after suffering a broken leg last year. There was no stopping him as he crossed for a hat-trick and picked up the man of the match award.

East Leeds put early pressure on the Albion line but excellent defence from Richard Blackburn, Mark Smith, Price and Connor Meegan held them at bay.

With the ball in hand, Brady Godfrey, Blackburn and Meegan were directing the Albion plays, with Smith, Price, Stevie Cutler and Jack Kennedy making good yards in the forwards. Alfie Seeley and Jamie Stephenson looked the main threat in the backs.

It was Seeley that opened the scoring for Albion as he jinked through to touch down before Price powered his way over and winger Ben Benfield crossed. Seeley add two of the goals to leave Albion16-0 up at half-time.

Price added his second after the break following further good approach play from forwards Danny Bowness and Kennedy. East Leeds rallied and crossed for two tries of their own to cut the deficit but Albion stepped up a gear in the final quarter as Col Pickles broke and stepped his way through to score.

Price secured his hat-trick and Seeley added two further goals to round off the scoring for Albion. Blackburn, Meegan and Kennedy caught the eye for Albion but hat-trick hero Price, who produced an excellent game of aggressive defending and hard running, was named man of the match.

Albion head to Halifax side Ovenden this week.