Keighley Cougars 46 York City Knights 24: Defiant Knights lose out as Barnett grabs hat-trick for Cougars

Former Hull FC winger Richie Barnett scored a hat-trick as Keighley Cougars comfortably swept aside York City Knights at Cougar Park.

Jason Demetriou’s side scored nine tries in total against a York outfit who, while outclassed, never threw in the towel and ran in four tries themselves.

The visitors led when Matt Garside went over but Keighley replied when Danny Lawton took a pass from Danny Jones to cross the line.

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They scored again when Craig Moss scythed through several York defenders to score before replacement hooker Jamaine Wray’s pass ushered Barnett over in the corner.

Lawton’s conversion attempt hit a post but former Wakefield star Semi Tadulala soon crashed over from close range.

Shortly before the break, Gavin Duffy scored in the corner from Paul March’s kick and Lawton failed to convert, leaving the scores at 24-6 in Keighley’s favour at the break.

York hit back 10 minutes after the break when Kris Brining burrowed over from close range.

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But three minutes later Moss went over from a pass by March and Lawton converted.

Shortly before the hour mark, Barnett followed Moss in completing a brace when he hacked the ball forward and grounded in the right corner.

York soon replied when Dario Esposito went over from close range and Thorman added the extras before Barnett completed his treble.

There was still time for Sam Obst to send Duffy over in the right corner with six minutes remaining before York had the final say when George Elliot went over and Chris Thorman added his fourth goal.

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Keighley Cougars: Moss, Duffy, Barnett, Lawton, Tadulala, Jones, Obst, Rawlins, Feather, Cherryholme, Pursglove, Shepherd, Coleman. Substitutes: Wray, March, Korkidas, Shickell.

York City Knights: Bush, Pryce, Ford, Garside, Elliot, Thorman, Olds, Sullivan, Lee, Aldous, Davies, Smith, King. Substitutes: Brining, Craig, Freer, Esposito.

Referee: R Laughton (RFL).