Cougars aim to sign off with double
7:43pm Friday 14th March 2008
The Cougars are looking to notch a rare double when they complete their Northern Rail Cup campaign against Workington on Sunday.
Barry Eaton's side picked up a 22-18 triumph on the road earlier this month, their only win so far, and aim to inflict more misery in Keighley.
Their opponents have yet to taste victory in the competition but earned a morale-boosting 50-14 Carnegie Challenge Cup success at amateurs Wigan St Patricks last week.
Eaton reckons that could lift them as they aim to break their duck.
"They probably got a big confidence boost last weekend and they'll be confident of giving us a tough game," he said.
"We had a close victory up at Workington a couple of weeks ago but Dave Rotheram has been putting his structures and plans in place and they've been improving each week.
"We want to finish with a win, though, to take us into the start of the National League campaign."
The Cougars narrowly missed out on a plum tie versus the Bulls when they lost their Challenge Cup tie against French outfit Toulouse.
Centre Oliver Pursglove (shoulder) is their only injury concern after that match but Eaton has a ready-made replacement in new signing Dan Potter.
His former Dewsbury and Widnes team-mate debuted with the Reserve Grade last week, having not played since leaving York last season.
Eaton may also have a look at some other members of his squad, saying: "I'm considering making the odd change but certainly not to weaken the side."
The Cougars open their National League Two account at Hunslet on Good Friday, so Sunday is the last chance for the boss to assess options.
Workington also kick off their campaign with a derby versus Barrow next week but chief Rotheram said: "We want to get a win at Keighley first and develop good habits leading up to the Easter weekend.
"We've made a hell of an improvement from where we've started to where we are now and we want that to continue."
Taani Lavulavu and Jamie Beaumont are both ruled out through groin injuries for the visitors, while James Robinson (leg) is also unavailable.