Keighley 54 Rochdale 20: Cougars strengthen position in top spot

The on-loan Bradford youngster has impressed since joining Paul March’s side and he was at it again yesterday with another fine display from scrum-half.

Paul Handforth opened the scoring in the ninth minute when he crashed over the line from close range and centre Andy Gabriel soon added a second.

Rochdale replied when Dale Bloomfield dived over but Cougars went on the offensive and hit Hornets with two quick tries.

Paul White raced the length of the field to score and Paul March broke the Hornets line to go in.

Rochdale scored again through Brad Hargreaves but Gabriel completed his brace and Josh Lynam added another try.

The Hornets hit back almost immediately as Anthony Walker crossed before Brook weaved his way over to continue his recent scoring form for Cougars.

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.

A speculative Cougars kick ricocheted into the hands of Jesse Sheriffe, who scored for yet another home try.

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

Keighley Cougars: Jesse Sheriffe, Gabriel, Lawton, Rikki Sheriffe, White, Brook, Handforth, Law, Lee, Cherryholme, Lynam, Rawlins, Lindsay. Substitutes: David March, Bailey, Paul March, Tahraoui

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