Keighley Cougars 44 Doncaster RLFC 18: Dons well beaten in League One opener

The Dons, playing their first game for 427 days, briefly led 12-6 at Cougar Park.

Richard Horne’s men levelled the match at 18-18 just after the re-start but from that point Keighley ran out comfortable winners.

A topsy turvy first half saw the hosts open the scoring after just four minutes courtesy of a debut try from Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e.

But, despite being down to 12 men following the sin-binning of Matty Beharrell, the Dons fought back to lead 12-6 with tries from Kieran Cross and Liam Johnson both converted by Watson Boas.

Keighley levelled just before the half hour mark when Charlie Graham ran almost the length of the pitch and the reliable Jack Miller added the extras.

The home side went 18-12 in front just before the interval when Aaron Levy crossed and Miller again converted.

Beharrell rounded off a good move and then converted his own score to draw the Dons level again five minutes into the second period.

But Keighley quickly responded with converted tries from Alfie Seeley and Jack Coventry to lead 30-18.

Brendan Santi extended Keighley’s advantage after 65 minutes before Miller got on the trysheet and Graham added his second score of the game in the dying minutes.

Doncaster host Rochdale Hornets next Sunday.