KEIGHLEY are clear at the top of the early-season standings in Betfred League 1 after winning 42-14 at Hunslet, who were the only other side to have won two games from two heading into the Easter Weekend.

The Cougars owed their success to a hugely impressive recovery from 8-0 down after only 10 minutes.

The Good Friday clash was preceded by a Hunslet Legends game arranged on behalf of Hall of Famer Steve Pryce, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

It was also a notable occasion due to the presence of descendants of Lucius Banks who, after being signed by Hunslet in 1912, became the first man of colour to play professional rugby league.

It seemed that the Parksiders’ celebrations were set to continue when, on the back of some expansive rugby, Hunslet shot into an 8-0 lead early on.

Josh Jordan-Roberts crashed over, following an impressive set, in the third minute, with former Cougar Matty Beharrell adding the extras.

The lead was extended when, following a high challenge on Harry Williams, Beharrell landed the resulting penalty. 

But the introduction of Keighley substitutes Alex Bishop, Lewis Hatton and Dan Parker heralded a transformation in fortunes for the visitors.

Bishop, in particular, began to carve openings in Hunslet’s defence and, aided by a sequence of penalties, the Cougars were in the ascendancy by the break.

Mark Ioane opened the visitors’ account on 22 minutes and, shortly after the half-hour mark, Bishop crashed in, also under the posts, a subsequent skirmish leading to an ‘on report’ referral.

Keighley News: Mark Ioane roars with delight after finally getting Cougars on the scoreboard on Friday night.Mark Ioane roars with delight after finally getting Cougars on the scoreboard on Friday night. (Image: JT Sports Media.)

Jack Miller improved both scores to nudge Keighley in front, and the half closed with a blistering brace for Billy Walkley, Miller missing the target each time from wide out. 

That meant Keighley led 20-8 at the break, with that lead increasing when captain Ellis Robson scythed over nine minutes after the restart, off Bishop’s smart ball.

Hunslet briefly raised hopes of a recovery when Alfie Goddard dotted down in the corner after good work by Jimmy Watson and Williams.

But, after another `on report’ decision, with Aidan Scully put on there for Hunslet following his shoulder charge, the Cougars ended the home challenge in compelling fashion.

Aaron Brown bustled over off Kyle Kesik’s telling ball and, following the sin-binning of Hunslet’s Jude Ferreira for delaying a restart, Keighley made the most of the extra space.

There were late tries for both Junior Sa’u and Robson, Miller converting the first from the touchline in a five-goal haul.

Keighley News: Ellis Robson (right) has been in red-hot scoring form for Keighley so far this season, and that continued with his double at Hunslet on Good Friday. Ellis Robson (right) has been in red-hot scoring form for Keighley so far this season, and that continued with his double at Hunslet on Good Friday. (Image: JT Sports Media.)

Cougars now have a bye week in League 1, meaning both Oldham and North Wales Crusaders have a chance to join them on three wins from three.

Title favourites Oldham travel to Hunslet themselves, while North Wales should have little trouble dispatching newly-reformed, and unsurprisingly struggling, Newcastle Thunder.

If the Crusaders do win this coming weekend, that would set up a fascinating encounter between themselves and Keighley at Cougar Park on Sunday, April 14.