PAUL White was quickest off the mark with an early double but it could not prevent Keighley Cougars slipping to a 38-20 defeat in their opening pre-season friendly at Barrow today.

The winger touched down in the second minute after clever play from new signing David March and went over again following a neat kick from Danny Jones.

Player-coach Paul March fielded the bulk of last season’s retained squad but Barrow got a grip on the game and scored through Kyle Dolan and Kristian Tyson.

Brendon Rawlins hit back for Cougars to make it 14-12 at the break but Lee Haney and Liam Campbell replied for Barrow either side of Danny Lawton touching down before Josh Ward took centre stage.

The Barrow scrum half scored two tries, converting both of them, while Liam Campbell and Chris Fleming also touched down for the Cumbrian hosts.