Would you be able to keep count of Halifax's try scorers using your fingers, or would you need to resort to an abacus?

Because with the scoreboard reading 22-0, and Fax running hot with the ball in hand, the game was certainly over as a contest.

See the slide show from the game.

As it turned out, the digits turned out to be sufficient, with Matt Calland's side calling a halt at nine tries after a second half that turned out to be as frustrating as the first was exhilarating.

But for much of the opening period it had seemed that Keighley, who conceded 64 points to a considerably less impressive Fax just over a fortnight ago, might really get a hiding as the home side motored ahead at a point-a-minute.

It's been said before, but it stands repetition: even allowing for the relative weakness of the opposition, it is a long time since Fax boasted a team with this much verve going forward.

From the moment Miles Greenwood, making his first start at loose forward, ploughed over from Sean Penkywicz's pass after the other Greenwood, wingman Lee, had made a 60 metre burst down the sideline, Keighley were in deep, deep trouble.

The Cougars weren't playing badly, but they were massively outclassed by opponents who, impressively, picked up where they had left off against Melbourne Storm last Friday night.

Fax's second try duly arrived on nine minutes, Shad Royston claiming the first of his four with a beautifully timed charge onto Graham Holroyd's trademark short pass.

That made it 10-0, and with back rower Paul Smith and prop Frank Watene both rumbling in from close range, Keighley were dead in the water.

Fax's fifth try, after just 23 minutes, turned out to be the best of the bunch, Royston taking a brilliant offload from young Leeds loanee Mike Ratu to cap a dazzling move involving Paul Smith, Watene, David Wrench and Mick Govin.

Holroyd added the fourth of his seven conversions and Calland's side led 28-0.

They should have added another score straight from the restart, Lee Greenwood breaking clear only to somehow find a Keighley player with the pass rather than one of his colleagues.

The Cougars made the most of their escape, stand off Jon Presley touching down a kick from former Fax half back Danny Jones, but Royston's hat trick try, on 35 minutes, got Fax back on track before Lee Greenwood darted over on the left after Miles Greenwood had made a dash down the opposite flank.

At 38-6, Cougars boss Barry Eaton must have feared the worst, and even when back rower Will Cartledge powered in a couple of minutes after the restart, Keighley finally finding a way to expose Holroyd in the defensive line, things were looking bleak for the visitors.

Royston scored his fourth with half an hour remaining, going in from point blank range after Penkywicz and prop Craig Kopczak had ripped Keighley apart down the middle, but after that things became decidely scrappy.

Fax were partly to blame, understandably after Friday night's exertions, but referee Craig Halloran must take his share of the blame.

The Dewsbury official was reading from a different rule book to the one used by Steve Ganson during Fax's last two games, applying some generous interpretations around the play the ball that meant Keighley enjoyed some success in their desperate attempts to slow the pace of the game.

The upshot was that Fax scored just once more, Holroyd sidestepping his way through 12 minutes from time, before Keighley undeservedly had the last word, replacement forward Brendan Rawlings forcing his way over at the death.

STARMAN
With Jon Goddard taking the plaudits over the last few weeks, last night it was the turn of Halifax's other centre, Mike Ratu, to take the plaudits.
The on loan Leeds Rhinos back is a different kettle of fish to Goddard, but just as effective with and without the ball.
The 21-year-old caused all kinds of problems for the Keighley defence last night, charging forward with such venom that more often than not it took two or three players to drag him to ground.
And the slipped pass that sent Shad Royston in for his second score, Ratu somehow conjuring the ball out of the tackle, was sublime.
That brings us nicely to Royston, whose nose for the tryline seems as sharp as ever.
The Australian, playing at full back in the first half and loose forward in the second, is developing a potent combination with his playmakers, particularly Graham Holroyd, and has the happy ability to pop up in the right place at the right time.
To score four tries, at any level, takes some doing.
The final point in the season-long Star Man competition goes to Andy Smith.
The former Bradford winger was back to his relentless best last night, ploughing forward though midfield every single time Fax had possession.
Smith's contribution to his side's overall game, his charges inevitably ending with a quick play the ball, simply cannot be underestimated.

PLAYER POINTS
Andy Smith 7, Sean Penkywicz 4, Graham Holroyd 3, Jon Goddard 3, Mike Ratu 3, Craig Kopczak 2, Paul Smith 2, Mick Govin 2, Paul Southern 2, Shad Royston 2

MATCH FACTS
Halifax: Shad Royston; Lee Greenwood, Jon Goddard, Mike Ratu, Andy Smith; Graham Holroyd, Sean Penkywicz; Paul Southern, Mick Govin, Craig Kopczak, Danny Heaton, Paul Smith, Miles Greenwood. Subs: Janan Billings, Jonathan Muir, David Wrench, Frank Watene.
Tries: Royston (4), L. Greenwood, M. Greenwood, Holroyd, P. Smith, Watene
Goals: Holroyd (7)

Keighley: Gavin Duffy; Sam Gardner, Ollie Pursglove, Richard Knight, George Rayner; Jon Presley, Danny Jones; Andy Shickell, James Feather, Neil Lowe, Will Cartledge, Greg Nicholson, Chris Redfearn. Subs: Jamaine Wray, Karl Smith, Brendan Rawlings, Simon Bissell
Tries: Presley, Cartledge, Rawlings
Goals: Knight (2)

Referee: Craig Halloran (Dewsbury)
Attendance: 1,286

YOU SAID
Good first half. Holroyd great in attack but can't tackle better and teams will target him. Nigel

STAT ATTACK
Halifax
First half
Completions: 16
Penalties: 4
Percentage possession: 60
Second half
Completions: 9
Penalties: 2
Percentage possession: 47

Keighley
First half
Completions: 9
Penalties: 2
Percentage possession: 40
Second half
Completions: 14
Penalties: 5
Percentage possession: 53