KEIGHLEY COUGARS 32 GOOLE VIKINGS 18
CAM KIRK, Cougar Park, Sunday

KEIGHLEY kick-started their campaign with victory over a determined Goole, whose comeback in the second half was curtailed by George Flanagan, who touched down for the decisive try on his 300th career appearance.

The first half belonged to the Cougars, who powered into action with a three-try flurry that stunned the Vikings, for whom ill-discipline will be one of the key factors in their reflections post-game.

A second-half spirited spell brought the deficit back to eight points, with as many minutes on the clock. But up stepped Flanagan to score the decider and add the conversion, having been fed the ball by David Foggin-Johnston.

After an early penalty, followed  by a drive up field, Brad Holroyd opened the scoring, finishing a fine move in the far corner. 

Positive momentum continued for the Cougars, who struck again. This time, Matty Beharrell, under no pressure, was able to run in under the sticks and convert his own try to double the advantage.

After a Jack Miller error was met with jubilation from the home support, Holroyd again broke the line. His pass found Aaron Brown, who ran in untouched and touched down under the sticks for an 18-point lead.

The Vikings then charged to the other end. After a period of persistent pressure, skipper Brett Ferres forced his way over the line for Miller to convert.

With less than a minute left on the clock, Harry Medlicott received the ball ten metres out, before managing to bundle his way over the line. Following celebrations from Medlicott and the Vikings players, the referee called a knock-on to leave the score 18-6 at the interval.

The Vikings came out all guns blazing after the break, pinning Keighley on their own line after capitalising on a series of errors from the home side. They couldn’t find a way through, however and after a poor kick to the line, Keighley came away unscathed. 

Goole’s ill-discipline would haunt them yet again, as three back-to-back penalties allowed Keighley to move downfield and eventually they opted for two points to take the game away from the Vikings.

And they put the icing on the cake when Alfie Dean crashed over. The bruising forward, with a dazzling run through the middle, went in and received a jubilant reaction from the home crowd.

The Vikings weren’t finished, however, and they scored when Miller bundled his way over from short range and he converted his own try.

That was soon followed by prop Jack Arnold touching down in the corner, for a try that was well converted by Miller, giving Scott Taylor’s side a smidgen of hope, just eight points down heading into the final five minutes.

But it was the Cougars who scored again when Foggin-Johnston ran through before handing it to Flanagan, who caressed the ball down for the final score for what was a triumphant occasion for him.

GAMESTAR: Matty Beharrell pulled the strings from the halves, scoring the second try in style and doing everything asked of him from the tee.

GAMEBREAKER: George Flanagan’s try to mark his 300th appearance also marked the end of a Goole Vikings comeback that was rapidly mounting.

MATCHFACTS

COUGARS
1 Connor Sayner
19 David Foggin-Johnston
4 Max Clarke
5 Dylan Proud
2 Brad Holroyd
6 Izaac Farrell
7 Matty Beharrell
10 Jack Teanby
14 George Flanagan
16 Leo Aliyu
21 Alfie Dean
12 Lachlan Lanskey
11 Lucas Green
Subs (all used)
17 Jordan Schofield
9 Oli Burton
8 Dan Parker
13 Aaron Brown

Tries: Holroyd (8), Beharrell (13), Brown (30), Dean (64), Flanagan (74)
Goals: Beharrell 5/5, Flanagan 1/1

VIKINGS
5 Callum Shaw
2 Tom Halliday
3 Cooper Howlett
4 Keenen Tomlinson
18 Connor Barley
6 Mackenzie Harman
7 Jack Miller
10 Jack Arnold
22 Callum Rutland
30 Liam Watts
11 Brett Ferres
12 Nick Staveley
13 Harry Aldous
Subs (all used)
8 Tyler Craig
14 Oliver Morgan
15 Jack Aldous
16 Harry Medlicott

Tries: Ferres (37), Miller (68), Arnold (70)
Goals: Miller 3/3

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 12-0, 18-0, 18-6; 20-6, 26-6, 26-12, 26-18, 32-18

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match

Cougars: Matty Beharrell; 
Vikings: Oliver Morgan

Penalty count: 12-7
Half-time: 18-6
Referee: Denton Arnold
Attendance: 1,179