Respite for Cougars following impressive win over Doncaster

JAMES HALEY’s hat-trick helped Keighley move out of the relegation zone with victory over Doncaster.
James HaleyJames Haley
James Haley

The Dons drew first blood as Kyle Kesick fooled the Cougars defensive line and raced in for the opener.

The home side then levelled through Haley, who touched down in the corner.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Doncaster were quick to put themselves back in control with halfbacks Scott Spaven and Rick Wilkinson combining for the score.

Keighley were quick to respond with two tries from Scott Law before the break.

The Dons were back level shortly after half-time after a knock on from Richie Barnett laid the platform for Mark Castle’s try in the resulting set.

Doncaster retook the lead once again, though, as Wilkinson’s kick to the corner was finished by Morrison.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Another Doncaster kick saw the visitors relinquish that lead.Paul March thumped the ball into the bottom right corner, with James Craven winning the foot race for the try.

The lead then changed hands for the final time. Haley took advantage of Morrison knocking on a high bomb to go in for his second.

Danny Jones then capitalised on the tiring Dons defence to touch down through the middle, before converting his own score.

A swift combination between Kesick and Ben Crooks saw the pair send through Sanderson to the line to restore hope for Doncaster.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A 40-20 from Handforth eased pressure on Cougars though, as it laid the platform for Barnett to go over from the resulting set. Jones then fed Haley back on the inside for the centre’s hat-trick.

Crooks went in for a late reply and Sanderson later kicked a penalty to make sure the visitors went home with a bonus point.

Keighley Cougars: Craven; Barnett, Lawton, Haley, White; Jones, Handforth; Shickell, Feather, Hesketh, Lynam, Rawlins, Lindsay. Substitutes: March, Law, Cherryholme, Haigh.

Doncaster: Scott; Morrison, Welham, Crooks, Sanderson; Spaven, Wilkinson; Carbutt, Kesick, Robinson, Starling, Snitch, Emmett. Substitutes: Spiers, Castle, Waterman, Dunn.

Referee: P Brooke (RFL).

Related topics: