A high-quality Yorkshire One encounter on Saturday saw Goole overcome a resilient Keighley side in front of an appreciative crowd, bolstered by a strong travelling support.
The victory, secured with a bonus point, lifts Goole into third place in the division and marked a return to form, with an assured and cohesive performance across the squad. Earlier in the season, Goole had struggled to close out games from winning positions, but with the return of several long-term absentees and the integration of new players, there is now a growing belief and composure in tight situations. That confidence proved decisive, as Goole sealed the win with a converted try from the final play of the match.
Despite the absence of regulars James and Charlie Walton, Chantry, Cook and Holt, Goole once again demonstrated the depth of their squad. The replacements stepped up admirably, ensuring the team remained competitive throughout.
Keighley, aided by a strong wind at their backs, applied early pressure from the kick-off. A crucial tackle from Adam Wileman halted their initial threat, before Olli Rayner relieved pressure with the first of several powerful carries. However, the visitors soon capitalised on their advantage, opening the scoring with a penalty before adding a try from a well-executed five-metre catch-and-drive.
Goole responded with disciplined, phase-based forward play to retain possession, while the backs contributed effectively through strong counter-attacking runs. Fullback Olli Pearson and Josh Malcolmson were particularly influential in returning Keighley’s territorial kicks. Although this approach earned Goole valuable territory, they were unable to convert pressure into points.
Their frustration grew when a turnover in their own half allowed Keighley to cross for a second try after 28 minutes, extending the lead to 0–15.
To their credit, Goole rallied impressively before the break. Two late tries shifted the momentum, the first from the ever-dangerous Raymond Coates and the second from Matty Lill, whose direct running caused problems for the Keighley defence throughout. At 12–15 at half-time, Goole were well placed with the wind now in their favour.
The home side started the second half strongly, with Rhys Moore kicking two penalties to edge Goole into the lead for the first time at 18–15. However, any sense of control was short-lived, as a lapse in concentration allowed Keighley to respond with their third try, reclaiming the lead at 18–20 midway through the half.
Goole quickly regained their composure. Slick handling in the backs created space for Matty Lill to score his second try of the afternoon, restoring the lead at 25–20. A third penalty from Moore extended the advantage to 28–20, while Keighley missed an opportunity to close the gap with a straightforward kick at goal.
As the game entered its closing stages, Goole looked to manage possession in the Keighley half. A turnover proved decisive, allowing Olli Rayner to power over for the fourth—and bonus-point—try, which Moore converted to complete a 35–20 victory.
This was another impressive all-round performance against a strong Keighley side, with several players staking a claim for Man of the Match. James Malcolmson continues to settle well alongside the influential Olli Rayner in the back row, providing a solid platform for an increasingly confident back line. Eddie Newsum also delivered a strong performance, but it was Olli Rayner who earned the Man of the Match award for his outstanding contribution both in attack and defence.