KEIGHLEY Cougars unearthed a new talent yesterday, as teenage winger Lloyd McEwan-Peters made an eye-catching debut.

He helped himself to four fantastic tries as promotion-chasing Cougars thumped rock-bottom visitors Newcastle Thunder 72-12 in Betfred League 1 in a game that was as one-sided as most were expecting.

The young outside back has come through Leeds Rhinos’ academy system, and joined Keighley on a deal until the end of the season last Thursday, having been training with the club for the past couple of months.

He got a surprise start on the right yesterday, with first-team winger Ben Blackmore ruled out with a chest infection.

Star centre Junior Sa’u was also a late withdrawal, with a hamstring tweak, but that late double blow did not knock Cougars off their stride.

Junior Nu’u squeezed over in the corner to open the scoring, before a McEwan-Peters try and Oscar Thomas conversion gave the hosts a 10-0 lead inside just nine minutes.

Thomas then prodded through into the in-goal area for Jordan Schofield to touch down, the extras being added once again, yet Newcastle hit back.

Nathan Rushworth’s score on the half-hour mark was added to by Alex Donaghy, leaving Thunder just 16-6 behind.

But crucially, Mcewan-Peters and Thomas both added converted tries just before the break to give Keighley a healthy 28-6 half-time lead.

A great team move put Adam Ryder in to score for Cougars at the start of the second half, with Thomas adding the extras, before prolific winger Billy Walkley increased the lead further.

Jack Miller had come on in the halves for Ben Dean at the interval, following his absence in the previous game due to a failed HIA.

He got on the scoresheet for the first time on the hour mark, converting George Flanagan’s try to put his side 44-6 in front.

George Flanagan was one of eight different try-scorers for Keighley yesterday.George Flanagan was one of eight different try-scorers for Keighley yesterday. (Image: JT Sports Media.)

Keighley ran riot in that final 20 minutes, Dan Parker next to cross the whitewash after a great carry.

McEwan-Peters grabbed his third try to take his side beyond the half-century mark, Miller adding the extras, before Thomas went over for his brace after combining nicely with Brandon Pickersgill.

Miller converted that effort with six minutes to go, and he was soon successful from the kicking tee again, as McEwan-Peters managed his fourth try of the afternoon.

Having opened the scoring, Nu’u was the last Keighley player over for a try, Miller tacking on the extra two points.

But Newcastle never gave up, and they rounded off the scoring in the dying seconds through Donaghy, who converted his own try.

Cougars can guarantee a second-place finish this season by winning against North Wales Crusaders this Sunday, but they remain three points behind leaders Oldham, who sit in the only automatic promotion spot, with four games to go.