Late try is a real downer for Cougars

BEN Blackmore’s late try relegated Keighley to Championship One as Featherstone secured their place in the top two.

Cougars had led 24-14 in the second half after tries from Paul White and the retiring Andy Shickell.

But unconverted quick-fire scores from Shaun Pick and Jason Crookes tries set up a nervous finish for the home side, one which they could not handle, as Blackmore then crossed to end Keighley’s three-year stint in the second tier.

Cougars were the first to put points on the board. Danny Jones opting to kick the two from a penalty.

However, that goal then gave Featherstone their first chance to score after Andy Shickell knocked on the kick off.

It was a chance that Rovers took, as Ian Hardman went in untouched at the corner. Gareth Moore slotted over the conversion from the touchline to give the visitors a 6-2 lead.

The home side hit-back on the back of a penalty. Halfbacks Paul Handforth and Jones combined to send through James Craven. Jones converted to regain the lead for Keighley.

It was not long after, though, that Featherstone were back in. Will Sharp cut back inside through Danny Lawton before touching down. Moore once again adding the extras.

Cougars then levelled it before the break. Elliot Cosgrove squeezed his way over the line on the left edge for the try to make it 12 apiece going into the sheds.

Moore then added a penalty goal five minutes after the break before Keighley had their best spell of the match.

Jones chipped a kick which White latched onto just before the ball had fallen into touch, a try which the stand-off converted.

The Welsh international then sent in Shickell charging through the line and a playoff place looked to be in sight after Jones converted.

However Andy Kain’s precise grubber kick was pounced on by Pick and Crookes’s crossed to see the visitors trail by two.

And Cougars just could not hang on. Blackmore went in at the corner to send the home fans into silence. Paul Handforth let frustration get the better of him late on as he was sin binned before the final whistle, with everyone involved at Keighley walking away from Cougar Park utterly dejected.

Keighley Cougars: Craven; Williams, Lawton, Haley, White; Jones, Handforth; Shickell, Feather, Hesketh, Lynam, Lindsay, Sheriffe. Subs: Cosgrove, March, Law, Cherryholme.

Featherstone Rovers: Sharp; Blackmore, Worthington, Hardman, Crookes; Kain, Moore; Crossley, Ellis, Trout, Pick, Spears, Lockwood. Subs: Bussey, Hirst, James, Teasdale.

Attendance: 1919

Referee: J Cobb