The Crusaders, who face Gateshead at the Brewery Field next Sunday, beat a valiant Keighley Cougars 34-12 in Bridgend last night.

Crusaders took the lead on eight minutes after new signing Josh Hannay made a dream start by running in for a try under the sticks. Jace Van Dijk added the extras.

Tony Duggan added another straight from kick-off as he ran through the defence like butter while they increased the lead to 18-0 in as many minutes when Mark Dalle Cort broke through. Van Dijk converted both.

Anthony Blackwood, making a welcome return, scored in the corner six minutes later.

But Cougars struck back straight away as substitute Tom Palmer leaped over to send them into the interval 22-4 up.

Neale Wyatt ran through for Crusaders' fifth try three minutes into the second half which Van Dijk duly converted.

But Keighley struck back following a period of pressure when Simon Bissell completed a good move by scoring in the corner.

Crusaders' lost their way a little after Darren Mapp was sinbinned and Cougars took advantage of the extra man straight away as Richard Knight scored their third try, but he hit the post with his goal attempt.

Tony Duggan wrapped things up in the final minute by running in for his second of the game which Van Dijk converted.

Celtic Crusaders: Tries: Hannay (8), Duggan (11, 79), Dalle Cort (18), Blackwood (24), Wyatt (43) Goals: Van Dijk 5/6 Sin-bin: Darren Mapp (56)

Keighley Cougars: Tries: Palmer (27), Bissell (54), Knight (58) Goals: Knight 0/3