Keighley Cougars 10, Swinton Lions 20

Keighley Cougars’ winless streak continued as they lost out to fellow Kingstone Press Championship strugglers Swinton at Cougar Park last night.

Even though they dominated territory and possession for large parts of the game, tries from Sean Hesketh and Paul White were not enough for Paul March’s men.

Despite securing their third consecutive bonus point, Cougars coach March was under no illusions that his side need to improve drastically.

“Individual errors cost us dearly and it was a disappointing performance and a disappointing result, especially in that second half,” said March.

“We got back into the game and played some high tempo at times but mistakes just proved too costly.

“It’s not fair on the supporters who are watching us against a side we should have put away.”

Hesketh barged over for the opening score after James Feather’s quick play-the-ball from Joe Chandler’s break downfield.

That lead did not last, however, as player-coach Ian Watson and Gavin Bennion combined to play in James Mendieka for a touchdown for the Lions.

Ryan Shaw then converted to give the visitors the lead going into the sheds.

Swinton took that momentum into the second half, with Mark Smith’s inside ball bamboozling the Keighley defence and finding Bennion, who crashed over, Shaw adding the two to give them an eight-point lead.

Cougars then got themselves back into the game after March’s cut-out pass found Paul White charging in at the corner, Scott Leatherbarrow landed the conversion from the touchline to cut the deficit to two.

But it was not long before the Lions regained their advantage as David Mills crossed on the back of some soft defence, Shaw once again improving.

The game was then won for the visitors when a penalty led to Shaw goalling.

A short kick-off saw Keighley win the ball back and Hesketh was held up over the line before the visitors toughed out the rest of the match to end their winless run.

Cougars: Jones; White, Barnett, Williams, Duffy; March, Leatherbarrow; Hesketh, Feather, Shickell, Martin, Chandler, Emmit. Subs: Smith, Sheriffe, Law, Sagar.

Swinton: Hawkyard; Penny, Ainscough, Shaw, Ormsby; Mendieka, Watson; Morrison, Dwyer, Holland, Hawkyard, Bridge, Hulme. Subs: Smith, Mills, Bennion, Barlow.

Attendance: 520.

Referee: Steve Ganson.