KEIGHLEY COUGARS sealed victory with a drop goal to steal the game from Whitehaven.
The visitors were first off the mark with a try from Graeme Mattinson after six minutes, converted by Carl Rudd.
The Cougars reduced the deficit with two penalty conversions from Danny Jones and, nearer the end of the first half the Cougars score
d. A short grubber kick from Jermaine Wray on the last tackle was grabbed by James Haythornthwaite to roll over the line. Jones added the extras.
Whitehaven were reduced to 12 men with a few minutes to go when the referee sin-binned Howard Hill for holding down in the tackle and the Cougars went in at the break leading 10-6.
Two tries came in quick succession at the start of the second half from Craig Calvert and Spencer Miller, with Rudd converting one of the tries, to put the visitors in command.
But, with 15 minutes to go, the Cougars levelled with a try from Dan Belcher, converted by Jones.
The Cougars were awarded a penalty for a dangerous tackle with 10 minutes to go, they opted for goal, but at 30 metres out Jones's kick went wide.
Whitehaven put pressure on the Cougars' line and Rudd's drop goal attempt ricocheted off the crossbar.
With three minutes left, the Cougars kept it down the centre of the pitch and bided their time as Jones positioned for himself to receive the ball and go for a drop. He sent it sailing over to seal the win.
Keighley Cougars: Belcher, Moss, Burton, Williams, Raynor, Presley, D Jones, Shickell, Feather, Law, R Jones, Pursglove, Sagar. Substitutes: Wray, Haythornthwaite, Rawlins, Benjafield.
Whitehaven: Benson, Eilbeck, Thornley, Jackson, Calvert, Rudd, Skee, Amor, Mattinson, Ford, S Miller, Hill, Joe. Substitutes: Govin, McDonald, Jackson, D Miller.
Referee: P Brooke (Lancashire).
