Keighley Cougars 34, Keighley ARL 2

Cougars' decision to take on a select side of Keighley's best amateur players proved a major success last night bar one major setback.

Barry Eaton's team eventually finished comfortable winners in the hastily-arranged friendly clash which served as a worthwhile warm-up ahead of their Northern Rail Cup campaign.

However, the player-boss was today sweating on the fitness of Gavin Duffy after the young full back was carried off with a suspected broken ankle.

Livewire Duffy, who emerged as one of the finds of the season last year, was taken to Airedale Hospital amid fears he had suffered a serious fracture.

Otherwise, the evening served its purpose and the Cougars are hoping to hold a similar match against Keigh-ley ARL next year.

Around 600 people turned out to see players from Keigh-ley Albion, Silsden, Keighley Town and other local amateur teams combine to give their semi-professional neighbours a hard work-out.

The visitors actually went ahead through a penalty goal from Silsden's Danny Horne and proved tough opponents in the first half.

Cougars, who saw star centre Mick Fogerty make a successful return from last year's knee injury and prop Tom Palmer in scintillating form, found it difficult to break them down and had to battle hard to establish a half-time lead before taking control after the break.

Simon Bissell, Craig Fawcett, Eric Johnson, Ryan Smith and Richard Knight all scored tries as did Matt Foster, who celebrated his recent signing of a new 12-month deal.

Eaton slotted two goals while Carl Sneyd, a trialist from Waterhead who used to play for Salford Academy, added three.

Director of rugby Peter Roe said: "Gavin's injury was the only downside to the night.

"The amateur lads really played well. They were formidable defensively in the first half and stopped us going forward.

"A bit of superior fitness showed in the second as did our bigger bench but they were the only reasons why we ran away with it."