Halifax 42, Cougars 12 - JON WAINHOUSE scored a second try for Cougars and was promptly sent to the sin-bin, leaving his side down to 11 men for the final ten minutes of their Northern Rail Cup clash with Halifax.

He threw the ball at a 'Fax defender after completing his touchdown, causing a brawl involving both teams.

It was the final ill-tempered moment of a game, which disintegrated in the second period as the home side's score mounted and frustration took its toll on the Cougar team's discipline. Moments earlier Matt Bramald had harshly been shown the yellow card at the other end of the field for holding down in the tackle.

The game was already beyond the Keighley's reach and they were only saved from total humiliation because the home side could not find a reliable kicker. Only three of their nine tries were converted and most should have been well within range.

The opening moments of the game had looked as bright as the final minutes were gloomy. Danny Murgatroyd powered down field and was backed up by Jordan Ross. A shrewd crossfield kick was collected by Matt Foster on the left, but he was held inches short.

David Larder scored the first points against his old club after a high ball totally deceived full back James Rushforth and bounced into the arms of the former Cougar forward.

Dean Lawford missed the straight forward conversion attempt but made amends two minutes later. His outrageous dummy saw the defence part and he threaded his way over the line before behind allowed to run under the posts to make his kicking duties even easier. This he was successful with the kick to give the home side a 10-0 lead.

Adam Mitchell made a promising break, but left winger Rikki Sherrife paid it back with interest and Halifax captain Pat Weisner went over from close range. Lawford added another two points and the home side were 16-0 up in as many minutes.

Cougars were desperate to close the gap and Daniel Harvey supplied the slick pass which found Rushton on the burst and he left the Halifax defence for dead as he completed a 30-yard charge for the line. Mitchell's conversion put the Keighley side back in the game

With 10 minutes of the first half to go Sherrife scrambled over in the corner with referee Gareth Hewer awarding the try despite what looked suspiciously like a double movement. The Halifax fans certainly breathed a sigh of relief that there wasn't a video ref on duty.

In the closing seconds of the half James Haley strolled over on the right with acres of space to spare after slick passing had stretched the Keighley defence to breaking point. The conversion attempt missed its mark, but 24-6 down Cougars needed an early opening score after the restart

But it was Sherriffe who bagged his second of the game with a break from his own half and the Cougars began to fall apart.

A word out of place resulted in a drop out under the posts being transformed into a 10m penalty for Halifax, they opted to run the ball and fullback Damian Gibson cashed in with a try by the posts which Wayne Corcoran converted.

The Keighley side didn't give in and went close when Andy Robinson just failed to get the touch, knocking on with the line at his mercy down after a lively attacking move.

After Bramald was sinbinned and Wainhouse also left the pitch after his touch down the home team were able to turn the screw. Gibson claimed his second after collecting a long pass and in the final minute Corcoran went over, converting his own try with the final kick of the game.

There was concern for coach Gary Murgatroyd after Matt Foster limped out of the game with a dead leg, but there was some hope from the impressive early performances of Danny Murgatroyd and Jordan Ross. Adam Mitchell was also impressive both at stand off and after taking over Foster's spot at centre.

However, the team will have to show more discipline against Strela Kazan on Sunday or the Russian side may yet spring a Powergen Challenge Cup surprise.