Rob Roberts was given a second chance to launch his rugby league career after being banned for 10-matches, but not with the Cougars.

Roberts had been given an immediate two-week ban by the Keighley club following his Easter Monday battle at Featherstone, and was told he would never play for the club again.

He was looking at an even heavier sentence when he appeared before a rugby league disciplinary hearing at the game's Red Hall headquarters on Wednesday, but Cougar director Allan Clarkson pleaded for a second chance.

Roberts had now been signed by David Plange at Hunslet Hawkes on a free transfer and his new club also pleaded for Roberts to be given a second chance.

The timing of the ban means he could now play his first match for Hunslet - against Keighley - at Cougar Park on June 28.

Cougar coach Lee Crooks said: "He may have had potential, but if you are to be a top player you have to bring it out. Hopefully a fresh start at a new club will give him the chance."

Phil Stephenson was also banned for two matches for his part in the fracas at Featherstone and Davide Longo was banned for one match for returning to the field of play from the sin-bin.

Mark Campbell was found not guilty of fighting.

The suspensions mean Crooks will have to make alterations to his team to play Swinton at Cougar Park on Sunday, but he is confident they can repeat last week's victory.

"Swinton are a good side, they are eight points above us and fifth in the league, but if we play like we did last week we can certainly win," he said.

New signing, former Wigan star, Lee Hansen made the big difference as Cougars ripped Widnes to shreds for much of the game. Only two tries in the last two minutes gave the Lancashire club a respectable scoreline.

But Hansen's performance exposed the gulf between Super League and the First Division. He showed a higher level of fitness throughout the game, but also lifted other members of the team up to his level.

"His Super League performance level made a big difference to the team and allowed our half-backs to play as a unit for the first time since I got here," Crooks said.

But Hansen, George Mann, who also made an impressive contribution to the game, and Grant Anderson who started training this week, are unlikely to be the last new faces seen at Cougar Park.

"I am still looking at a couple of other players at the moment and will also continue to look for players who can add strength to the squad," he said.

l Cougars are to launch National School Meals Week with a 'Mad Hatters' party on Sunday.

Children up to the age of 13 will get into the Swinton match free if they are wearing a home made hat featuring a Cougar and fruit or vegetables.

The competition brings together the two themes of School Meals Week, caring for yourself by eating well, and caring for the animal kingdom.

"Eating the correct food is very important for sportsmen and sportswomen, so we are delighted to give our backing to the project," said Cougars community officer, Matt Foster.

Up to four children wearing home made hats will be admitted to the ground accompanied by a paying adult, but they must use the gate on Royd Ings Avenue, at the Magnet end of the ground.

l The club is also launching a 'Give Me 5' family ticket which will allow two adults, two children and an OAP into the ground for £15.

Full details of the scheme and Give Me 5 tickets are available from the club on 01535-213111 or from the Cougar Shop in Cavendish Court.

"We know coming to matches is an expensive business for families and we want to help as many people as possible," said Lee Crooks.

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