Oldham 48, Keighley Cougars 18: The Cougars ended their regular season with a performance that summed up the year.

Flashes of brilliance, unswerving commitment and 40 minutes of strong rugby, but ultimately running out of steam and going down to a heavy defeat.

Oldham secured their place in next season's secondary tier with a commanding victory against the brave but inexperienced Keighley side.

"Our completion rate was 80 per cent in the first half," said coach Gary Moorby. "But after the break it was only 50, and unless you have the ball there's not a lot you can do.

"It was a typical performance from us, but we now have two weeks to prepare for play-off game at Barrow."

Gavin Johnson opened the scoring at Hurst Cross after just two minutes before Max Tomlinson sneaked in by the touchline for an equaliser.

The two sides then traded further tries, Keith Brennan going over for the Roughyeds, before Cougars scored the try of the match.

Tomlinson broke from his own 20-yard line before handing to the imperious Paul Ashton, who capped an effervescent performance by dashing home from 30 yards to level the scores.

Chris Campbell and Gavin Dodd then went over to give the home side a 20-14 lead at the break. But in the second half Oldham took control with Gareth Barber grabbing two tries, Neil Roden, Lee Doran and Johnson also scoring to give the home side, whose victory ensured a ninth-place finish, the points and a flattering scoreline.

Ever impressive Cougars hooker Simeon Hoyle required stitches to an eye wound, while Ashton was forced off with a rib injury after a callous, late kick from an opponent as the game became a little silly.

But Moorby is hopeful of being back to full strength for the trip to Cumbria, saying: "Yet again our inexperience showed, but we learnt a lot from this game where ultimately the result did not matter."