Sensational Cougars stunned Super League hopefuls Halifax with a six-try mauling to complete a great week for Peter Roe's men.

Having defeated West Bowling 38-0 in the Challenge Cup on Wednesday night - their first win of the year - they doubled up yesterday with an excellent triumph to shatter Fax's unbeaten record in the Northern Rail Cup.

The visitors had also been in action midweek but it was Keighley who coped better with the busy schedule as they delivered a power-packed performance.

Fax may be one of the top sides in LHF Healthplan National League One - a division above the Cougars - but it was hard to distinguish which was which as Roe's young side set about destroying their West Yorkshire rivals.

Player coach Barry Eaton directed affairs in his typical style and admitted it had been a major achievement for the improving side.

"We're delighted," said the former Widnes scrum half. "Halifax are obviously pushing for Super League so to turn them over and beat them by 20 points was massive for the club.

"Hopefully now we can kick on, keep improving and take things from here."

In-form centre Mick Fogerty (2), Phil Stephenson, Sam Gardner, Scott Nixon and substitute Andy Feather all crossed for tries, with Eaton booting seven goals as the Cougars proved too slick for their opponents.

With his small squad, Roe could not make too many changes after the midweek endeavours.

Marco Ferranzano suffered a broken nose against Bowling so prop Dave Norcross, on loan from Hunslet Hawks, did come in for an impressive debut.

Darren Nixon was out with a dead leg so Matt Foster, who has been acting as an emergency second row, was handed the opportunity to feature in his usual centre position but the rest of the squad all backed up.

Eaton said: "Halifax have got bigger and better resources than us so they were in pole position in respect of us both only having a three-day turnaround between cup games.

"That makes it all the more pleasing. We can't praise the lads enough. They deserve a big pat on the back and we've got our first win in the Northern Rail Cup.

"But we're not getting carried away. The bread and butter is the league, which starts in a couple of weeks, and we have to keep building towards that."

Second-rower Richard Knight was again inspirational. The former Huddersfield Sharks amateur player had taken the man-of-the-match award against Bowling following an enterprising attacking display and he was equally destructive against the finer talents of Fax.

Eaton said: "Richard Knight had started the first couple of games at loose forward but since he switched to second row he seems to be forging a massive partnership with Mick Fogerty down that left side.

"They've been outstanding together and, with Alex Brown on the wing as well, they caused Halifax all sorts of problems.

"There was one period where Halifax threatened to get back into it but we showed great team spirit and commitment to kick on and win comfortably."

The Cougars now travel to Rochdale for a rearranged Northern Rail Cup clash on Wednesday night.