The scoreline didn't really reflect the balance of this game but it did show the difference between the two divisions.

Rochdale were a physically stronger, more mature team and had the benefits of a previous friendly.

The Cougars showed plenty of promise in patches but lacked the defensive intensity and organisation at times to make this a real contest.

Coach Gary Moorby was understandably disappointed and said: "It's fair to say we looked ring-rusty, this being our first game since the end of last season. I was disappointed that we conceded 50 points."

The Cougars opened the scoring with an early Adam Mitchell penalty before a superb Radney Bowker pass sent Rochdale prop Gareth Price over unopposed in the 15th minute, John Braddish adding the conversion to make it 6-2.

In the 20th minute, the Cougars got back on level terms when Andrew Jackson went in at the corner to make it 6-6.

Braddish then scored a try which he converted himself, and in the 35th minute another smart Bowker pass put Andy Gorski over for Rochdale's third try, this time converted by Mark McCully.

Rochdale then bagged a fourth try when Dave Alstead pounced on a bobbling ball. McCully converted and the scoreline at the break was 24-6 to Hornets.

Jason Clegg scored almost on the re-start for Keighley, Mitchell's conversion making it 24-12 but Hornets soon ran away with the game. Two quick tries from Alstead and Phil Farrell, both converted by McCully, effectively ended the game as a contest Hornets now leading 36-12.

Cougars' Aussie recruit Daniel Harvey showed real quality to set up Sam Gardner.

But the visitors ran in three late tries. Richard Varkulis, Chris Giles and Gorski all finding bags of space to complete the scoring.