Against a side very much on song, the Hawks showed their battling spirit and when they fought back from 16-6 down to level at 16-16 there was the chance of a major upset.

But, as in the previous game at Blackpool, the Hawks conceded a couple of quick tries to slip away, although a late score by Richard Chapman ensured they earned a bonus point which they fully deserved.

The Hawks stood up well with Chapman very much a key figure and there was good support from Karl Gunney and Francis Maloney. But while the Hawks again showed an ability to take chances, their defence was again found wanting at times.

Hunslet almost had an early score with Scott Aitken taken into touch just short but soon after home scrum-half Craig Fawcett cut through a static defence to touch down with Danny Jones adding the goal.

Keighley extended their lead when a long pass caught out the Hunslet defence and Ryan Smith swept through for the try which Jones converted.
It seemed Hunslet might be overwhelmed but they hit back with a strong run by Gunney to score and Aitken added the goal.

Keighley promptly came back with a try by Brendan Rawlins to make it 16-6 but just on half-time, Scott Childs picked up a loose ball and raced 60 yards for a try to put the Hawks back in it at only 16-10 at half-time.

The Hawks dominated the early stages of the second half with Maloney and Mark Moxon dictating matters as the forwards drove in hard. Reward came when Mark Cunningham showed his strength to crash over and Darren Robinson added the goal.

But Keighley responded with a try by Will Cartledge as Maloney was sent to the sin-bin for dissent. In his absence the home side scored again through Jones, who also added the goal.

Hunslet did not give up the ghost and four minutes from time, Chapman went over in typical fashion for a deserved consolation. In the dying seconds Darren Robinson was sent off for dissent and the Hawks were left thinking what might have been.

Keighley Cougars: Rayner; Gardner, Potter, K Smith, R Smith; Jones, Fawcett; Shickell, Feather, Law, Nicholson, Lowe, redfearn. Subs: Wray, Rawlins, Cartledge, Bissell.
Hunslet Hawks: Larvin; Aitken, A Robinson, Cook, Childs; Maloney, Moxon; Freeman, Chapman, Lawton, Walkin, Gunney, D Robinson. Subs: Wainhouse, Young, Thewliss, Cunningham.
Referee: Paul Carr.
Attendance: 837.