Newcastle Thunder are set for a trip to National Conference League Premier Division side Siddal in Round Four of the Coral Challenge Cup after edging out Keighley Cougars in treacherous conditions, live on Our League.

Thunder earned a narrow 12-16 victory over fellow League 1 side despite being reduced to 12 men midway through the first half.

Colton Roche opened the scoring for Thunder as he sliced through the Cougars line after just six minutes. However, it was Roche who was sent from the field on the 20-minute mark for a high tackle after tempers had flared on a handful of occasions between the sides.

It didn’t deter Simon Finnigan’s side however as they extended their lead just before the interval. Quick hands to the left-hand side allowed Kieran Gill to power his way over from close-range and give the visitors a 12-point lead heading into the break.

Keighley got themselves on the scoreboard after the break as Josh Lynam was too strong for four Thunder defenders.

With six minutes remaining, Reece Dean notched a penalty goal which furthered Newcastle’s lead slightly.

But Keighley refused to lie down and Aaron Levy forced his way over. Benn Hardcastle’s goal narrowed the deficit to two points but another penalty goal from Dean with the final kick of the game secured victory for Newcastle.

Keighley Cougars: Alfie Seeley, Mo Agoro, Matt Welham, Louis Sheriff, MaCauley Hallett; Jack Miller, Benn Hardcastle; Dan Parker, Kyle Kesik, Dalton Desmond-Walker, Josh Lynam, Lewis Wray, Aaron Levy.

Interchanges: Jack Coventry, James Feather, Matthew Bailey, Spencer Darley.

Newcastle Thunder: Lewis Young, Alex Donaghy, Joe Brown, Kieran Gill, Alex Clegg; Quentin Laula-Togagae, Reece Dean; Brendan Santi, Bob Beswick, Mikey Wood, Adam Lawton, Colton Roche, Brad Walker.

Interchanges: Evan Simmons, Sam Blake, Sam Luckley, Harry Aldous.

Keighley Try-Scorers: Lynam (47’), Levy (79’) Keighley Goals: Hardcastle 2/2

Newcastle Try-Scorers: Roche (7’), Gill (32’) Newcastle Goals: Dean 3/4 Newcastle Red Card: Roche (20’) – High Tackle