London Skolars 16, Cougars 41 - MATT FOSTER raced in for a classy opening try as Cougars launched a storming first half performance.

Skolars handed them the opportunity on a plate when their opening kick-off went out on the full.

From the resulting penalty, Matt Foster stretched the defence on the left hand side and pounced for the line.

It was a superb start, just two minutes into the game after the players had endured a five hour trip south. Things kept getting better as Gary Moorby's side piled on the pressure.

David Foster broke through on the right five minutes later and drew in the defence superbly before releasing the ball for Matt Foster's second.

"Matt has the freedom to move about the park and after leaving his place on the left of the field he gave us an extra man on the right - the move worked perfectly," Moorby said.

Skolars hit back with a good cross-field run from Brett Blaker which opened a gap for Austen Aggrey.

Cougars responded quickly with quick passing from Paul Ashton who was on sparkling form. He opened up the line for David Foster to use his speed and strength to force his way over.

As the Keighley side took total command Ashton's attempted 40-20 kick didn't quite find touch, but London's Ashley Tozer just stepped on the line when bringing the ball back. His error handed the advantage back to the Cougars and they whipped the ball was then through several pairs of hands across the field from the scrum for full back Matt Bramald to move into the line and finish off the move.

Two more tries before half-time put Keighley in an unassailable position.

Richard Mervill crashed over and Ashton sliced through the defence to seal a 32-4 first half lead

The early part of the second half looked to be following the same pattern and the London spectators were preparing for a massacre, but Cougars failed to press home their advantage. Too often they attempted to be over elaborate or force passes.

Skolars scored the opening try of the half against the flow when Gareth Honor intercepted and raced 70-metres to the line.

The London side were sparked into life by the try and started to mount increasing pressure on the Keighley line. Full back Ashley Tozer squeezed through a hole in the Cougar defence and grabbed another touch down for the London side.

As they continued to press Lewis Taylor was sinbinned for holding down in the tackle close to his own line but despite being down to 12 men the Cougars finished with an audacious flourish.

A break from halfway by Adam Mitchell saw Paul Ashton in support to finish the move.

Ashton then faced his own players and cheekily back-heeled the conversion over the bar from in front of the posts, before adding a drop goal as the hooter blew to finish with a personal total of 21-points in the game.

But although Ashton's 'back-heel' conversion might have pleased the fans coach Gary Moorby was not happy.

"It is not professional and shows a lack of respect for the opposition. I don't know if it is the first time he has done that - but it will certainly be the last," Moorby said.

He added that the first 40 minutes saw his side's best performance of the season.

"We have not yet 'clicked' in our games so far this, but the first half was the best rugby so far.

"We played some flowing rugby with good support play backing up a superb display from the forwards,but when you are that far ahead at half-time you need to stay focussed. However, we tried to force the ball a bit too much in the second half and gave away penalties which put us on the back foot - we need to show patience," Moorby said.