MAGICIAN Paul Daniels embarks on a nationwide tour with a ‘Grand Variety Show’ this week, but Hornets were unable to conjure up a win against Keighley Cougars at Spotland on Sunday.

And, if the hosts were thinking of travelling with Daniels as a support act, it would probably be as jugglers, having passed the audition in some style.

There was no doubt some frustrated Hornets fans considered a disappearing act might be more appropriate as their team gave another error-strewn display and, even when Keighley were down to 12 men on 45 minutes – Mick Fogerty dismissed for a high tackle on Chris Spurr – they managed to complete only nine out of 19 sets in the second half.

Add to that missed tackles and lapses of concentration and you have the story of the match. To rub salt into Hornets’ wounds Craig Fawcett scored a long-range try in the dying seconds to deny the home team a much-needed bonus point. It was abysmal.

Keighley, in sharp contrast, did the simple things well, completed their sets, defended stoutly and took their chances, to post a well-deserved win.

Hornets took the lead after 90 seconds when Sam Butterworth slotted over a penalty. This, though, was cancelled out almost immediately as Danny Jones returned the compliment at the other end.

The hosts then set the scene for what was to follow as Chris Campbell made a 40 metre break and was hauled down just short of the line. From the play the ball Alex Brown attempted an impossible offload and the advantage was lost.

Hornets then contrived to give away three penalties in close succession and Jones, despite the attention of three tacklers was allowed to slip the ball to Dan Potter who had a clear run to the line.

The home team again applied the pressure and again lost the ball close to the Keighley line. The visitors, courtesy of a pass that was at least three yards forward, launched a length-of-the-field move which saw Potter slide in for his second.

Hornets looked short of ideas until stand off Martin Ainscough dummied to kick on the last before dancing his way through to score. Butterworth converted.

The hosts were back in the game but shot themselves in the foot when Dave Cunliffe threw a punch in a scrum and was yellow carded. Jones knocked over the resultant penalty to give the visitors a 12-8 interval lead.

Two minutes into the second half and Hornets were level. Jon Presley spilled Chris Hough’s high kick and Ian Sinfield hacked on to touch down. And when three minutes later Fogerty was red carded the home team seemed to be in the ascendancy.

Not for long, as Jermaine Wray’s short pass sent Brandon Rawlins crashing through Hornets colander defence for a try. Jones tagged on the two.

Hornets lemming-like tendencies continued and when they stood and admired Presley’s high kick Greg Nicholson took advantage to score out wide. Jones made it a six-pointer.

The home team raised their game but when Ainscough and Butterworth created a chance out wide it, all too predictably, ended in a knock-on.

With 11 minutes to hooker Janan Billings provided a ray of hope for Hornets as he burrowed his way over for a fine solo try. But four minutes later all hope was dimmed when Potter was able to stand in the tackle, wait and slip the ball to James Feather who strolled in for a try. Richard Knight converted.

Billings nipped in for a second, converted by Ashe, but it was too little to late as Hornets switched off and Fawcett hammered the final nail in the home team’s coffin.