Cougars 17, Whitehaven 16

Keighley Cougars passed their first major test of the new campaign with a dramatic 17-16 win against Whitehaven in yesterday’s Northern Rail Cup clash.

A Danny Jones drop goal sealed victory in a match that head coach Barry Eaton viewed as the perfect yardstick for his side’s upcoming Championship campaign.

This was the first time the Cougars had met one of their divisional rivals since winning promotion last year and they did not look out of their depth.

Eaton said: “It was a real test for us, playing against a top Championship side like Whitehaven. I’m really proud of the boys’ efforts.

“The pace of the game was up a step or two on what we were used to last season.

“We had to hang in there for the first 15 minutes but once we got over that we more than matched them and I’m absolutely delighted.”

Whitehaven took the lead within six minutes when Graeme Mattinson dived over from dummy half and Carl Rudd added the conversion.

Danny Jones kicked two penalties to close the gap, before the Cougars surged ahead when James Haythornthwaite dived on Jamaine Wray’s grubber kick.

Howard Hill was sin-binned for Whitehaven five minutes before the break but the hosts failed to take advantage and Craig Calvert touched down to level early in the second half.

The visitors then opened a six-point advantage when Spencer Miller scored and Rudd converted but the Cougars never gave up.

Full back Dan Belcher cut a superb, angled line to blast onto the pass from Jonny Presley and touch down, Jones improving.

Then, with time winding down, both teams went for the clinching drop goal. Whitehaven fluffed their attempt but Jones kept his cool to slot the kick and seal a deserved win.