Doncaster 19, Keighley 12; by Keith Reeves.

A much improved performance by the Cougars saw them completely dominate Doncaster Dragons for an hour but in the end three early tries they conceded cost them two vital league points.

There was also a hint of controversy over two decisions from referee Steve Ganson that allowed Doncaster to clinch this game.

After the Cougars had pulled back to 12-8, Doncaster kicked off, Alan Boothroyd received the ball and was judged to have put a foot over the dead ball line.

Coach Karl Harrison said: "That was a harsh decision from the kick off and they scored as a result of our drop out. Then with just two minutes left to penalise us for not playing the ball correctly was another harsh call and again Doncaster scored from it.

"I thought we dominated the second half but just couldn't put them away. Those decisions came at crucial times and went against us."

Harrison was a much happier man after the game despite dropping the points. His side showed all the intensity and commitment, particularly in the second half, that was so obviously missing last week against Villeneuve. In the end Keighley were playing catch-up rugby and it proved just too difficult a task.

Harrison added: "I thought we played very well after a terrible start. We let in three soft tries but came back well and could have won the game."

Keighley conceded the first try in 35 seconds, former Salford man Fata Sini racing 60 metres down the touch line for the opening score. Jason Lee then replied with a penalty to make it 4-2 but Keighley soon fell further behind when Colin Carter ghosted into the line to score Doncaster's second try in the tenth minute.

Fifteen minutes later Doncaster made it 12-2 when Sini was tackled on the line. He dropped the ball behind him for Carl Hall to scoop it up and dive over.

Keighley stopped Doncaster forcing the ball wide and took them on up the middle. They had several midfield breaks from Craig Horne, Nathan Antonik and Paul Owen but Doncaster scrambled brilliantly to keep the score to 12-2 at the break.

If anything Keighley stepped up a gear in the second half and nearly all the football was deep in Doncaster territory.

The Dragons' defence held firm until the 51st minute when a smart short pass from a half-fit Martin Wood sent Ian Hughes crashing through two tackles to touch down. Lee failed with the conversion but later added a penalty and it was from this kick off that Alan Boothroyd stepped into touch.

Almost immediately from the drop out Rob Wilson went through the gap to send former Cougar man Latham Tawhai diving over. Lynton Stott converted and at 18-8 with just 13 minutes left it looked an impossible task for Keighley. They gave it their best shot though and man-of-the-match Ben Thompson created the Cougars' second try when he raced 35 metres down the right hand flank before sending James Rushforth in at the corner.

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