Swinton Lions 16 Keighley Cougars 36

Craig Moss celebrated his first appearance of the year with a second-half hat-trick as Cougars recovered from a nightmare start to record a stunning victory at Leigh Sports Village.

The full back was back in the side after an off-season shoulder operation and made a major contribution as Paul March’s resurgent team claimed their third straight win to move level on points with eighth-placed Workington.

They did it the hard way after falling 16-0 behind after just 13 minutes against a Swinton side featuring five Warrington players on dual registration in James Mendeika, Tyrone McCarthy, James Laithwaite, Ben Harrison and Brad Dwyer.

But Cougars gradually gained control of proceedings and ultimately coasted to a win which encouraged hopes they can end a turbulent campaign in a top-eight berth.

Swinton dominated the early exchanges and opened the scoring in the sixth minute through centre Mick Nanyn.

Former Warrington player Kevin Penny embarked on a searing break and showed intelligence to send Nanyn over the line for a try which he converted.

Three minutes later it got worse for Cougars as Warrington centre Mendeika galloped under the posts after a fine run from winger Gene Ormsby.

Nanyn again added the extras and the visitors were left stunned when Swinton added a third try in the 13th minute when some superb handling culminated in Nanyn crossing.

After McCarthy was placed on report for a late hit on Cougars prop Andy Shickell, March’s side hit back with two tries to haul themselves right back into contention before the break.

In the 29th minute, centre Elliott Cosgrove barrelled over the line and Scott Leatherbarrow added the extras before half-back Danny Jones added a second six minutes later.

Leatherbarrow’s second conversion made it 16-12 at the break but Moss scored his first nine minutes after the restart.

He added his second in the 62nd minute and winger Paul White added a fifth Cougars try before Moss completed his treble with ten minutes remaining to send the travelling fans into raptures.