Swinton Lions 54 Keighley Cougars 10

The travel sickness continued as Cougars' last chance of a win on the road disappeared amid a ten-try mauling.

Keighley had lost all 11 away fixtures this season heading into yesterday's contest but hoped to end the miserable duck against a Swinton side they had beaten in July.

But promotion hopefuls Lions gained sweet revenge for that surprise loss with a one-sided domination of this LHF Healthplan National Two tussle.

The damage came with a quickfire treble in six first-half minutes which completely undid a promising Cougars start.

Naming their strongest side of the year, with Mick Fogerty and Karl Smith both returning, Cougars went ahead with a Barry Eaton penalty and had some cracking opportunities to get over the whitewash.

Centre Fogerty made a classy break down the left, Gavin Duffy nearly jinked in from close range while James Feather cut loose down the middle but as the support desperately tried to keep up with the hooker, his pass towards Fogerty bounced into touch.

Swinton were let off but they wouldn't show Keighley as much leniency when their own opportunities inevitably came.

Paul Kidd's side did not allow Cougars a touch as they bagged three tries between the 20th and 27th minutes and then it was all one way.

Ill-discipline saw the hosts get some much-needed field position and that allowed prop Bruce Johnson to weave through some slack tackling.

A Chris Hough 40/20 then had Cougars further on the backfoot, Martin Moana slicing through all too easily from the resulting scrum.

From the restart, another penalty in the next set saw Swinton encouraged again and this time strong-running forward Lee Marsh put winger Andy Saywell in at the corner for a well-worked try.

Keighley have been guilty of leaking points in back-to-back sets on a regular basis this season and it was the catalyst again for another sorry defeat.

Bigger and more experienced sides know how to turn the screw against them and, trailing 16-2, the visitors were, although they did hit back with a Matt Bramald try after more good work from the impressive Fogerty.

However, maddeningly, Keighley then messed up the kick-off and handed Swinton possession immediately back, Marsh barging through for their fourth touchdown of the half.

The ruthless streak continued after the break, with Hough and Saywell both benefiting from Cougars errors to widen the margin.

Then Saywell completed his hat-trick with a neat finish as more holes appeared, before giant Johnson got his second and centre Dave Alstead finished off an excellent break from full back Wayne English.

Cougars substitute Alex Brown touched down against the run of play but scrum half Hough brought up Swinton's 50 with another long-range special.

Was there any consolation for the Cougars? Knowing they don't have to get on that bus again until 2007, their last fixture being at home to London Skolars on Sunday.

Keighley need a win against their fellow strugglers to ensure they do not finish with the wooden spoon.