Keighley Cougars 40 Halifax 64

The Keighley Cougars put 40 points past National League One outfit Halifax but still lost an astonishing game yesterday.

A total of 18 tries were scored during a real points spree at Cougar Park but Keighley eventually went down 64-40.

Boss Barry Eaton was delighted with some of his side's attacking play, Jon Presley bagging a hat-trick and James Feather, George Rayner, Andrew Shickell and Sam Gardner also getting over.

But he could not hide from the embarrassment of defensive deficiencies as their local rivals walked through time after time to win the contest.

Eaton conceded: "We weren't at the races. It was really disappointing the way we defended right from the word go.

"We were 10-0 down in no time. We did some good stuff with the ball but then capitulated again coming up to half-time."

Damien Gibson and James Haley touched down early on for Halifax but the hosts responded with tries from Feather and Rayner. However, they ship-ped in more before the break and never recovered.

Sean Penkywicz got his own treble and other scores went to former Hudders-field Giants star Paul Smith, Janan Billings, Mick Govin, Richard Varkulis and former Bulls winger Andy Smith.

Graham Holroyd also reached the whitewash and booted 11 goals as the rout continued.

For Keighley, Presley got all his three tries during a ten-minute purple patch in the second half and Eaton said: "We did some fantastic stuff with the ball and to score 40 points against Halifax is very pleasing but it was all overshadowed by that defence.

"We missed far too many one-on-one tackles, our shape was poor and we looked at sixes and sevens.

"We go up to Workington next week and they are fierce competitors in National League Two. I'd much rather go there and win 6-4, defending much stronger, than score 40 points versus Halifax and lose.

"It was even more disappointing because we'd concentrated on defence in training over the last two weeks. It looks like we need to do more."

Richard Knight kicked six goals for the hosts in front of a large crowd of 1,340.