Keighley Cougars 16

Featherstone Rovers 36

A brilliant second-half kicking display from Rovers half back Jamie Rooney denied Cougars' coach Gary Moorby a victorious home coming.

Keighley led 16-10 at the break and the score line would suggest just about shaded the first 40. But Rooney's right boot made full use of a huge wind down the Keighley slope.

His tactical kicking was brilliant and Keighley were never allowed to put any meaningful second half attack together. But his place kicking was better. He landed seven second-half goals and hacked a head for Rovers' final try to finish with a personal tally of 20 points.

Keighley have evidently made a huge improvement in Moorby's first full week. Inspirational hooker Jason Ramshaw's return gave them a massive lift and he was the major influence in the first half.

Rovers got off to a great start when they capitalised on an early error for Martin Shaw to send Chris Spurr in after 90 seconds. Rooney added a penalty before Keighley took control.

Phil Stephenson jinked over from 15 metres out after and new boy Danny Halliwell finished off a piece of Ramshaw magic by winning the 40-metre chase to touch down.

That made it 10-6 after 17 minutes and Rovers briefly came back when Richard Newlove crossed wide out to level. But Keighley remained cool and a brilliant pass from Danny Fearon sent Halliwell in for his second try, Paul Ashton adding a conversion to give Cougars a half-time lead.

Rooney gradually took control of this game. He added two early penalties to narrow the margin and converted when Martin Shaw raced onto his pass on the Cougars' line on the hour.

Shaw raced round a static Keighley defence after a brilliant 70-metre 40/20 kick from Rooney put Featherstone on the Keighley 'ten'. Rooney converted to make it 30-16.

But just for good measure he kicked ahead a stray Ramshaw pass five minutes from time adding the conversion to complete the scoring.

Cougars: Rushforth; Hooson, Halliwell, Wilkes, Smith; Ashton, Firth; Stephenson, Ramshaw, Hannah, Foster, Moore, Fearon. Subs: Mitchell, Ekis, Banks. Not used: Hoyle.

Featherstone Rovers: Graham; Stokes, Reardon, Newlove, Spurr; Shaw, Rooney; Booth, Chapman, Tonks, Dooler, Lowe, Seal. Subs (all used): Swinson, Darley, Bastow, Dickens.

Referee: Paul Taberner (Leigh) Attendance: 1,322