Betfred League One: Keighley Cougars 44 Workington Town 34

KEIGHLEY Cougars opened their Betfred League One season with a thrilling victory over Leon Pryce’s Workington Town.

Town opened the scoring in the second minute when, on the back of a penalty, quick hands from former Bull Jamie Foster sent Gordon Maudling crashing over in the corner.

Keighley then took the lead with two quickfire tries, the first of which saw Harry Aaronson dive in at the corner after great work by Hamish Barnes.

Then on the back of a Foster knock-on, Matty Beharrell’s quick pass opened the space to send Matthew Bailey over next to the posts.

Workington got back into the game in controversial circumstances when, after a knock-on by Stevie Scholey was missed by the officials, Carl Forber took advantage of the confusion to score unchallenged.

The Cougars extended their lead once more, however, when Josh Lynam managed to keep control of the ball and stretch an arm over the line.

Town wouldn’t go down without a fight though and got back to within two points yet again as Kurt Maudling raced beneath the uprights after the home side failed to deal with a Scott Leatherbarrow kick.

But Craig Lingard’s side would have a comfortable advantage at half-time after another two quick tries.

Beharrell raced round the posts after Scott Law offloaded out of the tackle before Andy Gabriel intercepted and raced 90 metres on the sound of the hooter.

Workington had the first score of the second half, however, when Forber spotted the numbers advantage on the overlap and put Joe Hambley over in the right-hand corner.

And Pryce’s side got themselves right back into the game when Gordon Maudling powered his way over the line for his second of the afternoon.

It appeared that the Cougars had the game won after a brief Benn Hardcastle masterclass.

The half first cut through the Town defence like a hot knife through butter to grab a try before taking the two points on offer from 30 metres out.

Town set up a grandstand finish though as Sean Penkywicz burrowed his way over from close range, but Gabriel sealed it on the hooter.