GOOLE VIKINGS 26 KEIGHLEY COUGARS 12     
TOM KELLY, Millennium Stadium, Featherstone, Sunday

GOOLE secured a fourth win in a row as they continue to cause shocks in their first league campaign, beating Keighley with a brilliant 80-minute display at their temporary home of Featherstone.

But it didn’t look like being that way early on.

Keighley started strongly with Jack Teanby forcing his way over the line in the first four minutes, with Matty Beharrell converting to put the Cougars six points in front.

Both sides played aggressive rugby and when tempers flared two fights erupted across the pitch, causing the referee to sinbin Keighley’s main man Beharrell alongside Goole’s Reece Dean.

That appeared to disrupt Keighley more than Goole and while both players were off the pitch the Vikings scored two tries.

Josh Guzdek opened their account, scoring a well-worked try in the corner after a Keighley knock-on gave field position to the Vikings, which they were able to take advantage of.

And they went In front for the first time when Mackenzie Harman brushed past three Keighley defenders to dive in the corner. In Dean’s absence, Harman was unable to convert either try.

The downhill advantage played a big part for Goole in the first half as they were piling on the pressure in the final third. Continuous penalties conceded from Keighley led to Andy Ellis pinning his ears back and crashing over, with Dean, now back on the pitch, giving the Vikings a 14-6 half-time lead.

The Vikings weren’t daunted by playing up the hill in the second half and veteran Brett Ferres went over for his third try in Goole colours, with Dean’s conversion making it 20-6.

Things went from bad to worse for the Cougars when they made a predictable handling error in the wet conditions as Junior Nuu dropped the ball, which eventually fell into the hands of Thomas Halliday who slid in for his seventh try of the season that effectively clinched victory for Goole.

Another yellow card was shown to Andre Savelio in the 63rd minute for dissent towards the referee.

But Goole were able to stay on top.

Keighley tried to come back, aided by an 80-yard interception breakaway from Nuu, which led to Izaac Farrell crossing the line for a consolation try, but it was too little, too late.

The Vikings were able to celebrate the first double in their history in their inaugural League One campaign.

Keighley stay second bottom in what is turning out to be a nightmare season for their long-suffering fans.

GAMESTAR: Harry Aldous gave a tremendous display with strong carries throughout the 80 minutes.

GAMEBREAKER: Tom Halliday’s try on 55 minutes put Goole 20 points in front and there was no way back for the Cougars.

MATCHFACTS
VIKINGS
3 Josh Guzdek
2 Tom Halliday
37 Jason Tali
4 Thomas Minns
23 Ben Hodder
6 Mackenzie Harman
7 Reece Dean
17 Jack Coventry
25 Ryan Wright
18 Tyler Craig
36 Andre Savelio
11 Brett Ferres
16 Harry Aldous
Subs (all used)
14 Misi Taulapapa
20 Andy Ellis
15 Alex Holdstock
10 Jack Aldous

Tries: Guzdek (22), Harman (26), A Ellis (37), Ferres (45), Halliday (55)
Goals: Harman 0/2, Dean 3/5
Sin bin: Dean (19) – fighting, Savelio (63) – dissent

COUGARS
32 Connor Sayner
2 Brad Holroyd
4 Junior Sa’u
19 Junior Nuu
27 Alfie Goddard
6 Izaac Farrell
43 Matty Beharrell
23 Leo Aliyu
9 George Flanagan
33 Jack Teanby
11 Brad England
3 Adam Ryder
29 Lucas Green
Subs (all used)
44 Oli Burton
12 Lachlan Lanskey
10 Mark Ioane
15 Dan Parker

Tries: Teanby (4), Farrell (76)
Goals: Beharrell 2/2
Sin bin: Beharrell (19) – fighting

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 4-6, 8-6, 14-6; 20-6, 26-6, 26-12

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Vikings: Harry Aldous; Cougars: Matty Beharrell

Penalty count: 4-7
Half-time: 14-6
Referee: Luke Bland
Attendance: 702