It is supposed to be difficult to play expansive rugby league on Craven Park, but it almost rained tries as Rovers ran in 10 touchdowns to complete the 56-6 rout. What made it more encouraging, and perhaps worrying for their future opponents, is that nine of the 10 tries came from the back division.

Ally McClarron came up with four tries, including a quick-fire hat-trick which saw him cross the Cougar line three times inside the opening 14 minutes. Whilst kiwi half-back Paul Mansson produced a matching Man of the Match display with great leadership, having involvement with most of the scores.

Keighley never let their heads drop despite Rovers scoring almost a point a minute for the opening half hour. The half-backs, Matt Firth at scrum-half and Adam Mitchell at stand-off never stopped trying and their big forwards, in particular Jason Clegg and Phil Stephenson, never relaxed in their efforts to keep their men on the move. The Cougars were first to show when Matt Firth took play in to the Rovers half with a good kick to touch. But they conceded advantage at the following scrum for illegal use of the head.

In the fourth minute, Mansson went down the left flank and with little danger, the quick-thinking stand-off managed to roll the ball along the floor as he was tackled, Scott Thorburn. The Aussie was on hand to pick up and slipped the ball back outside to McClarron, who touched down.

 

Six minutes later, Mansson found the supporting Lynton Stott who in turn linked with McClarron who beat one defender on the outside before wrong footing James Rushforth and cutting inside the full-back to score closer to the goal posts.

Mansson triggered off the next scoring move. This time he joined forces with Matt Calland, who supplied the final pass for McClarron to complete his hat-trick. A superb third successful conversion from the touchline by Stott saw the score race to 18-0 in Rovers' favour.

Rovers had to wait eight minutes for their next score. Dale Holdstock and Nick Pinkney created an opening for the hard-working Craig Farrell to go through, the winger beating the last line of defence with a classical in-to-out step to go over the line wide out. Once again the angle and distance proved no problem to Stott, who landed the kick smack between the uprights.

 

Scott Thorburn added his name to the scorers when he chased up his own little grubber kick to touchdown following a smart piece of build up play from Makali Aizue, Calland and Paul Pickering. Stott made it five goals from five to see Rovers enjoying a 30-0 lead.

Just before the break the first serious injury of the game happened - to Super League ref Bob Connolly from Wigan. His leg problem was bad enough for Hull referee Peter Brooke to come on as replacement. The home side headed for the break with a daunting 30-0 lead and looked well in control of their game.

 

Shortly into the second half and Rovers were crossing the visitors line as Stott got a deserved reward when he finished off a break by Jon Aston and Pickering to touchdown, which he converted. Brave Keighley almost got over the Rovers line on 48 minutes, but referee Brooke had spotted a forward pass in the build-up.

Minutes later, Bovill found Phil Hasty up in support and the half-back sprinted 20m to touch down which Stott converted yet again. The Keighley defence was taking a real pounding and it was Hasty back on the score sheet only two minutes later, Stott failing at his eight conversion attempt.

And Stott was subjected to some good-natured boos when he failed to add the extra points to an Andy Smith try on the hour. Mansson hoisted a bomb towards the Keighley line, full-back James Rushforth letting the ball bounce at the second time of asking. Smith plucked the ball out of the air to take Rovers to the half-century of points without any sort of reply.

 

Lively hooker Simeon Hoyle looked a thorn in the Cougars attack despite lack of attacking possession throughout the game. And in one of their rare opportunities to get near the Rovers line, he burrowed his way over for a try. Adam Mitchell stepped up to add the extras for the visitors but Rovers were to save the best till last.

Hasty put a towering kick up towards the left corner and McClarron took off into the air clutching the ball out of the Keighley players gasp to touch down. Stott was back on target popping over the conversion to take the home tally to 56 points, gaining league leadership after the opening week.