Batley Bulldogs 12 Keighley 24

Jet-heeled Jon Presley came off the bench to score a quickfire double and earn impressive Keighley Cougars a notable pre-season scalp as they won 24-12 at Batley yesterday.

The National League One side were deemed the first real test for Barry Eaton's new-look squad but they came away from Mount Pleasant further buoyed after a hard-earned success.

Fellow new signings George Rayner and Neil Lowe both touched down before livewire half back Presley - captured from Sheffield Eagles - struck twice to seal victory against higher-division opponents.

A delighted Eaton said: "Jonny's doing exactly what we brought him to the club for. Whenever we've got teams on the back foot, he's got the pace to hurt them; half a gap and he's through. He certainly did that with his second try but all the half-backs played well.

"George Rayner's effort was fantastic too in the first half. He showed great pace and footwork to arc clear for a great try."

Eaton still has six first-team regulars to return to action but you couldn't tell yesterday.

"Overall, I was really pleased," he said. "We had quite a lot of pressure on us in the second half but we withstood it all for a good 25 minutes and then finished well with Jonny's two tries to win it.

"It was a really solid team performance and it was pleasing to see youngsters like Ben Sagar and Dave Emmott on the field at the end. They both went well."

Danny Jones slotted two goals, as did Adam Mitchell as Keighley - who lost centres Rayner and Ollie Pursglove through injury in the first half - made it three pre-season wins on the bounce.

Next up come National League Two rivals Doncaster on Sunday, with the legendary Ellery Hanley in charge for the first time. They arrive at Cougar Park for Matt Foster's testimonial.