It was a 14 try rout for the Cougars in what was a chilly day up in the Toon and it didn’t take long for the scoreboard to start ticking as a probing run from Ben Dean, making his League One debut, linked up with Mark Ioane who spun out of a would be tackle and sent Ellis Robson over for the opening try with Miller adding the first of what would be 13 conversions.
Robson was then provider as a lovely break from deep sent Aaron Brown under the sticks from 30 metres out. Just minutes later a Lewis Hatton offload was fumbled by a Thunder defender and Ben Dean picked up and grounded the ball over the line from close range.
Josh Lynam was next to cross the whitewash marking his 150th Keighley Cougars appearance with a rare try.
Neat work on the left edge sent Billy Walkley over for the first of a three try haul for the winger who is impressing many with his work rate and try scoring ability since joining in the off season.
A captains knock again from Robson who completed his brace on 31 minutes, followed shortly afterwards by stand off, Dean.
Right on the stroke of half time and Adam Ryder in his second spell with the club notched his first points of the day out wide on the wing, Miller with his only miss of the day.
The Cougars continued to keep the scoreboard ticking after half time as Jordan Schofield pounced from close range.
Thunder showed some fight winning the ball back from a short kick off and going in at the corner for their only try of the day through Evan Lawther making his return to the club following a spell in the Academy. Tyler Hepple added the extras from out wide.
It didn’t take long for the Cougars to add to their tally as it looked like Hatton had grounded the ball over the line but with the referee unsighted by the post pads, the official called a ball steal. On the very next play Schofield went over for his second of the afternoon.
Just minutes later, Dean on the right edge with lovely hands found Pickersgill out back who hits a lovely ball to Ryder to complete his brace. Miller again adding the extras to take the score to 6-64.
The Cougars weren’t finished yet. Junior Sa’u isolating his opposite defender finds Walkley who notched his second of the afternoon.
Next up, Matt Bailey found the try line in his return to the side crashes over from 10 metres out. Completing his hat trick, Sa’u and Walkley combined to complete his hat trick with just a couple of minutes before the full time whistle.
Cougars face a tough test next Sunday on the road against a plucky Rochdale Hornets who had an excellent one point win over North Wales Crusaders.
