Whitehaven struck back to level matters with visitors Keighley Cougars at half time in their League 1 opener 12-12.

Haven gave Keighley some early ball after they came up with a series of unforced errors in the opening minutes.

The new-look Cougars were putting on the pressure and it took some great goal line defence from Haven to keep them out.

But it was the visitors who scored first as Matt Welham finished off a good move to touch down, with Benn Hardcastle adding the extras.

Whitehaven were struggling to finish off their opportunities with a final pass from Callum Phillips to Chris Taylor pulled back as forward.

And Jamie Thackray was causing problems for the home side with a great opening quarter from the former Workington Town man.

Dion Aiye was called on to make a try saving tackle but then on the next play Keighley got over again for their second score of the afternoon.

A great kick over the top from Hardcastle went right into the hands of the chasing Jack Miller and he raced over the line, with Hardcastle converting for 12-0.

Whitehaven finally got on the scoresheet when they found numbers out wide for Chris Taylor to score, with Jake Moore converting.

But then they committed a sin on the restart as Dave Thompson knocked on and Keighley were allowed to attack again with venom, only some tough tackling forcing them into touch.

It was a great break from Aiye that brought Haven right back into the game before he slipped the pass to the supporting Moore and he got over the whitewash and then converted to level matters at 12-12.