Hunslet Hawks 12 Keighley Cougars 22: Moss secures win as Cougars deny Hawks

Moss, who made several try-saving tackles, was rewarded with the last of Keighley’s four tries but the Hawks were level early in the second half. Only two tries from the visitors in a five-minute spell damaged home hopes of a first win since April 8.

It took Keighley 19 minutes to force a breakthrough, loose forward Jamie Shepherd making a powerful break before sending the supporting Danny Lawton in under the posts, the left centre converting his own try.

David March almost broke Hunslet’s duck on the stroke of half-time but the Cougars, who have made slow starts in recent games, went in at the break 6-0 ahead and the home side had to wait until the 51st minute to draw level.

Giant prop Anthony Henderson ran on to a well-weighted pass from impressive debutant Ben Karalius to plunge over and leave Tom Henderson to tag on the goal. That gave the Hawks fresh heart and former Keighley winger Lee Mapals was only denied a debut try by an awkward bounce of the ball.

However, half-back Sam Obst restored Keighley’s advantage on the hour, wriggling his way between the posts, and five minutes later Gavin Duffy side-stepped his way to the line, Lawton improving both tries.

Stuart Kain replied with Hunslet’s second try, converted by Tom Henderson, but slack tackling let in Moss for Keighley’s final touchdown.

Hunslet Hawks: Kain; Mapals, Nathaniel, Welham, Brickwood; T Henderson, Karalius; Yates, Haigh, Benjafield, Dooler, Oakes, March. Substitutes: McLocklan, Clayton, Tootill, AHenderson.

Keighley Cougars: Moss; Barnett, Haythornthwaite, Lawton, Duffy; Demetriou, Obst; Shickell, Feather, Cherryholme, Pursglove, Rawlins, Shepherd. Substitutes: Wray, Clough, Sheriffe, Korkidas.

Referee: J Leahy (Dewsbury).