Despite scoring six tries to Keighley's five - and having played the lion's share of the lucid football in this combative, agricultural encounter - French referee Thierry Alibert's somewhat distant relationship with the laws of the game saw the home side steal home by the narrowest of margins.

There's no doubt that this Cougars side is top of the table on merit, but Hornets did enough to win this game. And they were first on the scoreboard after 8 minutes when Dave Cuniffe intercepted a shoddy pass from Jones and outpaced the Keighley three-quarter line over 90 metres to score.

On 24 minutes - with the set going nowhere on half way, Keighley's Jones chipped and gathered, fed the supporting Rayner who headed for the posts. In his desperate lunge under the close attention of the gathering tacklers, the ball clearly slipped from his grasp, bouncing from at least a foot. Msr Alibert was on the spot - and the only person in the round to consider the ball fairly grounded. A shocking decision that left the visitiing supporters in stunned silence.

As the second quarter wound its way to the hooter, Hornets laboured under an increasing penalty count, as Msr Alibert insisted in only looking one way. But despite that, they still managed to conjure up some good play.

Firstly, Wayne Corcoran showed great awareness, using an offside retreating defender as cover all the way to the line; then Simon Svabic stepped back inside by the posts to extend the Hornets lead. There was also sufficient time for Chris Hough to slot over a cheeky drop goal.

But with the penalties racking up to give the home side momentum and field position, it was inevitable that Keighley would close the gap- which they did, when Shickell was gifted a one-yard crash-over try from a last tackle penalty for offside theat came with Hornets pinned on their own line. Jones added the extras.

There was just enough time for Cal Sneyd to convert Hornets only penalty of the half to send his side in 19-14 up at the break.

With a Jones penalty to get them underway, Keighley then worked a good try when Smith got on the end of some quick hands. But Hornets responded almost immediately.

With the kick-off soaring into the in goal - and Shickell safely placed beneath it - his centre (anticipating the ball going out of play) shouted 'leave it'. Shickell, caught in two minds, simply dropped it cold.

From the resulting possession, Ainscough hoisetd a teasing lob into the in-goal, where Carl Sneyd leapt highest to gather and score. He added the extras for good measure.

Taken downfield by yet another penalty, Keighley's Potter showed and went through a backpeddling Hornets defence.

And the defence was kept on the back foot, as the oenalties just kept coming. Jones happy to ape his mentor Barry Eaton and kick whatever was offered.

The repeated sets of hardworking defence on a stultifyingly hot day finaly took their toll on the visitors, as Fawcett exploited flagging bodies to scoot in. Jones added the two and Hornets were 11 points down with ten miniutes to play.

But - just as Bobbie Goulding had demanded a massive response - his side sucked in for a huge closing phase, which they totally dominated.

Firstly, a teasing kick into begind the home defence saw Dave Cunliffe barge in and touch down. Sneyd hooked the conversion just wide. 36-29 with four to play.

On the next foray into the Keighley half Martin Ainscough's quich thinking and nifty footwork carried him in for a try. Sneyd cooly added the two and Hornets had the momentum.

Bringing the kick-off possesion down Lawkholme Lane's infamous slope, Hornets pushed and probed for the killer opening. And when the ball was perfectly smuggled out of the tackle by Newton to give Chris Spurr a clear run, Msr Alibert intervened: a penalty decision that no-one understood, given before the ball had left Newton's hand. As bad a decision as you'll ever see.

Shattered, Hornets tracked back to defend the last of Keighley's 14 penalties having received only 6 in return.

The hooter seconds later brought the Thierry Alibert show to a welcome end. Au revoir Thierry - you were shocking.