South Wales Scorpions faced the toughest possible start to the season at their new Caerphilly home on Sunday March 6, taking on Keighley Cougars, the side who were denied promotion in last year’s play-off final.
The Welsh side were struggling with a number of injuries, including Izaak Duffy pulling up in the warm-up, and coupled with Keighley’s obvious experience the Yorkshire side were always in control.
Scorpions started well and Paul Emanuelli even kicked the first 40-20 of the game, but the chance was wasted and Cougars sped onto the attack, scoring the first try on seven minutes after Scott Law was fed to go over left of the sticks. Adam Brook converted.
A forward pass denied Cougars a second try, but from their next attack they doubled the lead. Hamish Barnes dived over following a good passing move. Brook converted again.
Scorpions almost got a try back on 26 minutes. A good run from Dai Evans gave Jordan Sheridan an opportunity but he spilled the ball under pressure when diving for the line.
Cougars made them pay. They went straight back on the attack and Charlie Martin scored in the corner. Paul Handforth missed the kick.
Darren Hawkyard received a pass from his brother Ritchie for Cougars’ fourth on 32 minutes. They again changed their kicker with Danny Lawton giving it a go and slicing wide.
John Oakes leapt on Paul Handforth’s kick for their fifth of the half on 36 minutes. Handforth regained the kicking duties and brought the score up to 26-0.
Ritchie Hawkyard repeated his brother’s efforts for the first try of the second half which Brook converted.
Scorpions’ best play of the game so far almost resulted in a try back. Scott Gregory almost found a gap on the penultimate tackle of a set and Dai Evans was near to scoring on the next play but again couldn’t find a gap and had to leave the field injured.
When play resumed, it was the Scorpions who were next on board after a good passing move found its way over to Ian Newbury, who scored in the corner. Paul Emanuelli missed the kick.
Cougars looked to restore the balance but Paul White was held up over the line. Scorpions were then close, but a ball kicked for the unmarked Connor Farrer hit the post. Evans, back on the field after being patched up, tried to create a chance but was stopped in his tracks.
Again the League 1 favourites went upfield and scored with Brendon Rawlins speeding his way over. Brook converted to make the score 38-4.
Lawton got the next try from the next set after kick-off which Brook converted.
Then with ten minutes to go, John Oakes twisted his way over with Brook converting to bring up 50 points.
Paul White ran in Keighley’s tenth try of the day with Brook kicking the ball wide before an Aaron Ollett try in the last minute completed things. Brook had an easy kick to make the final score 60-4.
Match report by Ian Golden.