Toulouse 84, Cougars 6

MARK Kheirallah scored four tries and kicked 12 conversions as Kingstone Press League One leaders Toulouse romped to an emphatic 84-6 victory over Cougars at Stade Ernest Argeles Blagnac.

Paul March’s side headed to France aiming to bolster their promotion credentials following their impressive run of recent form.

But they were comprehensively outclassed from start to finish in a one-sided affair that will give March much to think about.

The Cougars boss was boosted by the return of full back Ritchie Hawkyard after a hamstring strain, while Adam Brook partnered Paul Handforth in the halves.

Cougars had won their previous three league games but they were blown away by a Toulouse outfit who have serious designs on a place in the Championship next year.

On this evidence, the French side appear a very decent bet to gain promotion in the coming weeks as there was simply no stopping them on Saturday evening.

They took control following tries from Kuni Minga, Sebastien Planas, Clement Boyer, Bastien Ader and Kheirallah's brace to lead 36-6 at half-time.

Former Bulls academy player Matt Bailey scored for the Cougars just before the interval.

There was, though, no respite for the English visitors in the second half, as Toulouse pressed home their superiority.

They claimed further scores from Ader, Tony Maurel, Danny Hulme, Boyer and Anthony Marion, while Mourad Kriouache added a brace and Kheirallah also touchdown twice more to complete his personal impressive display in the 15-try victory.

Keighley face Barrow at Cougar Park on Sunday as they bid to bounce back from Saturday’s surrender.

Cougars assistant coach Adam Mitchell believes the result was a one-off and has backed the team to come back stronger.

Mitchell said: “Blow-out scores happen in sport. It doesn’t make it any easier to take, trust me, but we’ll dust ourselves off and put it right.”

Cougars have just three games of the regular season remaining before the league splits and the race for promotion hots up.