Cougars 30, Blackpool 10

Delighted player-coach Barry Eaton paid tribute to Ryan Smith after the young winger inspired the Cougars to their first league win of the season.

They destroyed fellow strugglers Blackpool Panthers 30-10, running in five tries to finally get off the mark at the fifth attempt.

Former West Bowling player Smith, 19, was at the heart of the success, which sees Keighley rise three points above their rock-bottom opponents in National League Two.

Eaton said: "He was outstanding. Ryan had been quietly going about his business before pulling up with a foot injury that kept him out for five weeks.

"He's come back and is still not 100 per cent but played through the pain barrier and really came of age today."

Power-packed Cougars were simply too good for their opponents as they raced into a 22-0 interval lead.

Second-rower Greg Nicholson, back after a wrist injury, got the first on 13 minutes before Smith struck just after the half-hour mark.

Hooker James Feather added another and then Smith raced clear to send full back Gavin Duffy over just before the break.

Eaton said: "He was one of the main reasons we were on top so much in the first half. Ryan returned the ball with vision and looked likely to bust every time.

"He scored one try and made another with a great 80-metre run before off-loading to Gavin Duffy and gave a terrific display."

Eaton slotted three conversions before improving Nicholson's second try on 55 minutes and adding a penalty.

Cougars prop Simon Bissell and Blackpool's Jonathan Chamberlain were sin-binned in a scrappy second half for fighting, while Cougars centre Alex Brown was also shown a yellow-card at the death.

The visitors were limited to tries from Chamberlain and Chris Maye, with a solitary Chris Brand kick.

Eaton said: "We were pretty dominant and in real control of the game in the first half. We made the most of our chances and finished them well.

"We were a little bit disappointed in the second when Blackpool pushed the ref to the limit and the game slowed down but overall we're just pleased to have got a win.

"Hopefully this will kick-start our season now and we can climb the ladder. If we show that amount of desire and work rate, we will do."

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