Keighley Cougars 54 - 20 Rochdale Hornets

Rochdale Hornets were soundly beaten in a top of the table clash against Keighley Cougars today (Sunday 21 June).

Prior to the game Hornets coach, Ian Talbot, said he hoped his team could put in a performance and and peg back the runaway leaders, but Cougars had other ideas.

Hornets dominated the opening five minutes but went behind after Cougars forced three consecutive sets on the Hornets line; Paul Handforth diving over and Danny Lawton converting.

Things went from bad to worse for Hornets when, following some excellent defensive work, they succumbed to a speculative bomb as Andy Gabriel took a freak bounce and showed good speed to beat Brad Hargreaves to score. Lawton with the conversion.

Hornets finally opened their account after a quarter of an hour, in which they were the better side despite the score line, when Dale Bloomfield dived over in the corner. Paul Crook's conversion attempt just missed.

Cougars went on the offensive and hit Hornets with two quick tries. Paul White raced the length of the field to cross the line; Lawton converting. Paul March broke the Hornets line to go in under the posts. Lawton again successful with his boot.

With a twenty point deficit Hornets were fighting an uphill struggle to stay in touch with Cougars but refused to lie down and Brad Hargreaves pegged four points back when he went over in the right corner. Lewis Charnock missed the conversion.

Hornets were the architects of their own downfall when Wayne English gifted an intercept to Gabriel who took full advantage to touch down. Lawton made it nine out nine with his boot to add the extras.

Just before half time and a bizarre incident when a cricket ball came through the stand roof.

Half time: Keighley Cougars 30 - 8 Rochdale Hornets

It took ten minutes of the second half before the score was added to and it was Cougars who extended their lead to 28 points, ending any hope Hornets may have harboured of a second half comeback. Josh Lynam making the most of a Hornets handling error to then turn through an attempted tackle to score. Lawton converted.

Hornets hit back almost immediately as Anthony Walker carried half the Cougars team over the line. Crook added the extras.

With 25 minutes still to play but still 22 points behind Hornets needed to throw caution to the wind if they were to peg Cougars back and scoring the next try quickly was imperative. However, it wasn't to be as Jack Ashworth was penalised for a ball steal (whilst in possession) and Adam Brook broke the hearts of the travelling Hornets faithful when he dummied and weaved to go over. Lawton again successful with his conversion.

Cougars were back to a 28 point lead and it was soon 34 points as a Hornets bomb on the Keighley line was batted into Paul White's arms by a Hornets attacker and White raced the length of the field for the second time to score his second try for Cougars. Lawton converted.

That it really wasn't Hornets day was confirmed when Lady Luck again laughed in Hornets faces when a speculative Cougars kick ricocheted off a stray leg into the hands of a surprised Jesse Sheriffe, who scored. Lawton again adding the extras.

Hornets got a consolation in the dying minutes of the game when Crook went over and then added the two.

Attendance: 907

Keighley Cougars: J Sheriffe, Gabriel, Lawton, R Sheriffe, White, Brook, Handforth, Law, Lee, Cherryholme, Lynam, Rawlins, Lindsay, D March, Bailey, P March, Tahraoui.

Rochdale Hornets: English, Hargreaves, Paterson, Ashworth, Bloomfield, Smith, Yates, Walker, Crook, Thompson, Bridge, Case, Charnock, McClurg, Trumper, Tilley, Hadden.

Referee: Dave Merrick