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The match, which was hosted by the Royals' good neighbours Castleford Panthers, may have ended in a 40-6 defeat at the hands of Crigglestone, but the exercise certainly served its purpose for Methley, who were able to blood several new faces under coaches Ian Palfreyman and Paul Farrar and give a number of last season's squad a full run-out.

Crigglestone, made up largely of players who are emerging from their strong youth system and a sprinkling of experienced hands, were inevitably more structured than Methley and also benefited from having had a match seven days earlier with the opening Group C win over Prince of Wales.

In a contest that went from end-to-end in the first half, the visitors managed to withstand a number of promising raids on their own line and made the most of a couple of chances to establish a 10-point lead in the blistering heat.

But Methley, with young hooker Jarred Willshaw effective, gained the score the efforts of such as loose forward Michael Astbury, props Luke Pickering and Dave Gibson, plus second row pair Carl Garman - the captain - and Chris Gibson deserved when substitute Reece Willshaw bustled over, fellow benchman Sam Payne adding the extras.

With scrum-half Matthew Carriss-Wright and stand-off Danny Snowden forming a promising combination, the Royals looked capable of going in front before the interval.

But a breakaway try on the stroke of half-time, followed by a touchdown shortly after the resumption, put paid to Methley's hopes, although there was a real highlight when centre Richard Scott pulled off a sensational cover tackle to prevent a certain try.

But six touchdowns in the second period against a tiring Royals outfit leaves Methley needing to win on Saturday at Prince of Wales to claim second place in the table.

Threequarters Wayne Garlick (in his first-ever game), Ryan Lelliott - in a first outing for nearly two years - and Robert Carriss-Wright all enjoyed telling moments, as did fullback Shaun Dickinson and substitute Ben Brown.