Cougars 52, Gateshead 0 - JASON LEE parceled up a hat-trick of tries as a bumper present for hundreds of Cougar fans who made the Christmas Eve journey to Gateshead.

Lee slipped into overdrive as the Keighley scoring-machine clicked into gear with his first try in the opening minutes. Martin Wood made the break which set the speedy wingman on his way - and Wood stepped up to tag on the extras.

There was a nice balance to the Keighley scoring with 26 points in each half and James Rushworth pounced for a close range try. A second conversion put Cougars 12 points up in less than five minutes.

Paul Harrison crossed the line after slick play from Wood and Nathan Antonik, following an 30-yard break from Craig Horne who is growing in confidence by the week.

Danny seal was next to take advantage as Wood and Antonik left the Gateshead defence chasing shadows.

Over half the 1,000-plus crowd had made the long journey from Keighley with the 'Santa Army' given a boost by a bevy of slinky 'Miss Christmases' who had joined the fancy dress parade.

Freddy Cougar also joined in the festive fun taking on the home side's 'Captain Thunder' in a mini mascot Olympics. The Captain was clear winner of the long jump as Freddy was hampered by his outsized running shoes - but the Keighley mascot was a clear winner with the crowd.

On the pitch Lee kept the action flowing with his second try to round off a quality opening period which had seen Steve Deakin's side on hot form despite the freezing Tyneside temperatures.

Two minutes after the break they were back on the attack taking advantage of the quality kicking game Deakin has introduced the give his side an extra dimension.

Jason Ramshaw hoisted the ball high. Lee and Harrison applied pressure to the Gateshead defence and collected the ball before putting Antonik in at the corner.

The home club, which was re-formed after the crazy Super League 'merger' with Hull, showed real enthusiasm but were outclassed.

Cougar captain Graham Hallas and Gateshead's player-coach Roy Southernwood were placed on report after after a skirmish, but the delay did little to halt the Cougar momentum.

Substitute Darren Carter scored the first of his two tries after being put clear by Lee, who completed his hat-trick.

Gateshead came close to spoiling Keighley's defensive record, but Craig Horne and Karl Smith bundled Darrell Derose into touch by the corner flag to keep a clean sheet.

Late tries from Carter, who raced in from 40 yards, and Horne added the glitter to a comprehensive victory.

Gateshead: Brown, Field, McGibbon, Hall, Williamson, Dyson, Gambles, Mervill, Southernwood, Grundy, Carlton, Parker, Derose. Subs (all used): Roberts, Garside, Rutherford, Thorman.

Cougars: Rushworth, Horne, Smith, Hallas, Lee, Wood, Antonik, Slicker, Ramshaw, Walker, Harrison, Hughes, Seal. Subs: (all used): Carter, Leatham, Stevenson, Boothroyd.