LANCASHIRE Lynx finished their season in style with a second successive victory when they defeated mid-table Keighley at Victory Park.

A brilliant defensive performance paved the way for the victory with Lynx sealing the game with two tries in two minutes on the hour.

After the game coach Steve Hampson said: "It has been a great end to the season with two successive victories, we deserved a victory today and we were unlucky not to keep a clean sheet.

The forwards, especially PJ Solomon, Geritas and Hodgkinson were outstanding, but the try from Paul Roberts killed Keighley off. Unfortunately for the lad it looks like he has chipped a bone in his leg and has finished up in hospital."

Hampson added: "I will be looking at things over the next few days, but it is likely that most of the squad will be retained. I will also be talking to other players in the near future to strengthen the squad for the Boxing Day start." Keighley started brightly, but despite early pressure they failed to breach the Lynx line. Both teams were attacking at every opportunity but chances were few and far between. In fact the only scoring opportunity in the opening 20 minutes was a missed penalty by Keighley.

Lynx finally broke the deadlock in the 24th minute when Andy Bennett managed to squeeze over the line after a good break by P J Solomon. Lynx were now in control again but as earlier in the half defences were on top and with no further scoring in the half Lynx went in with a 4-0 advantage.

Lynx started the second half looking to extend their slender lead, this they achieved four minutes into the half when the Keighley defence was carved open and 'Doc' Murray was on hand to finish off the move. Keighley were now struggling to make any impact on the game as Lynx's defensive work kept them pegged back in their own half. Lynx edged further ahead with a Paul Roberts drop goal before two tries either side of the hour mark by Paul Roberts and Steve Gee both converted by Neil Alexander, put Lynx in an unassailable lead.

The main interest now was whether or not Lynx could keep a clean sheet for the first time in two seasons, they managed to keep Keighley out until six minutes from time, but after a spell of pressure Nathan Antovik found a chink in the Lynx defence to put them on the scoresheet, this was the last score of the game as Lynx ran out worthy winners.

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