Keighley Cougars Reserves see off Scotland Students in see-saw encounter

COUGARS Reserves recorded their first victory of the season in a game which fans might have enjoyed but not the coaches.

In a 16-try feast at Cougar Park, Scott Lindsey nearly saw his side lose after surrendering a 14-point half-time advantage before two late tries sealed the win.

Emmerson Whittel started for Cougars on his return to action a month ahead of schedule after suffering a broken jaw in the controversial Challenge Cup win at Fryston Warriors in February.

It appeared to be a good afternoon at the office as Keighley raced into a 16-0 lead after just 12 minutes through tries from Sean Kelly, Calvin Barker and Danny Lawton.

The Students got back into the game though with two quickfire tries, Finlay Hutchinson completing an 80-metre break before Ethan Flowers went over after stealing the ball in a one-on-one challenge.

Despite this, the Cougars soon widened the margin on the scoreboard with Dane Weatherill diving over in the corner and Lewis Davey going in behind the posts following a break from the kick-off.

Barker went the length off the field before unselfishly offloading to Callum Smithson to score but the Scots had the final say of the half as Niall Hogg turned through a tackle to touch down.

Keighley appeared to have stayed in the sheds following the half-time break as Scotland closed the gap to two points with stand-off Matt Hogg scoring two swift tries, first breaking through before pouncing on a knock-on to score from the free play.

Barker used the overlap to his advantage to squeeze over for his second to bring the arrears to one converted try.

The Students turned on the style, with Hogg orchestrating the play, and Scotland scored again with his pass to Hall setting the prop up as he took advantage of a gap in the line to sell the dummy and crash over.

Hogg then took his own chip over the top to send Mike Dowding over in the corner to open up a four-point lead.

However, a Kelly break through the line restored the advantage for Cougars with Lawton sealing his brace to wrap up the victory.

COUGARS: Barker, Weatherill, Casey, Lawton, Davey, Smith, Smithson, Welsh, Kelly, Hutchinson, Pickering, Whittel, Ibrahim. Subs (all used): Robinson, Kitson, Connell, Price, Adams, Harlow-Stephenson.