Swinton Lions 29 Keighley Cougars 16

PAUL March branded his side ‘lacklustre’ after they fell to a first league reversal of 2015 at Swinton Lions.

The result, in the club's first away game since the death of Danny Jones, marked a third defeat at the hands of Swinton this year, having lost to them in pre-season and in the iPro Sport Cup.

March said: “The lads were very slow and lacklustre through the warm-up and they took that mentality into the game itself.

“I’m not going to let the events of the past fortnight be an excuse for the defeat today. Swinton were the better side throughout and deserved the win.

“It’s been a difficult time for the lads and I’m going to give them some time off to spend with their families this coming week and we’ll go from there.”

The Cougars' hopes of getting something from the game were dented before the warm-up as Rikki Sheriffe failed a head test before James Feather came off concussed after nine minutes and was taken to a local hospital.

Feather had broken the deadlock two minutes earlier when he dived over from Ash Lindsay’s pass off the deck.

Paul White saw his effort ruled out after being taken into touch before Connor Dwyer exposed a gap to bring the Lions within two points.

Swinton went into the interval 12-6 up. Chris Rothwell dived over from Dwyer’s pass after a Keighley hand had touched the ball to wipe the tackle count. Then a grubber kick caught out Andy Gabriel, allowing debutant Mike Butt to score.

A tired Cougars outfit were punished for numerous errors and missed tackles in the second half which the home side controlled from start to finish.

Ben White slotted over a drop goal to extend the lead to seven, with a clever pass from Stuart Littler minutes later sending Shaun Robinson over in the right-hand corner.

Cougars reduced the deficit when Oliver Pursglove scored his second try in as many weeks but Rothwell added his second from close range moments after Josh Barlow was fortunate to avoid a card for a punch on Brendon Rawlins.

A glimmer of hope came for Keighley when Sean Kelly squeezed over with ten minutes remaining but White went past the Cougars defence like a knife through butter for the final try of the afternoon.

* Cougars will be opening their main stand – renamed in honour of the late Danny Jones – when Oldham visit on Sunday, May 31.