SCOTT Law, who this week signed a new two-year contract, is determined to help the Cougars win promotion and honour the memory of close pal Danny Jones following his death earlier this year.

Paul March's side had already set their sights on an immediate return to the Championship following last season's controversial relegation.

But the untimely passing of the hugely popular Cougars playmaker in May has added to the drive within March's squad as they prepare to face Oldham in Sunday's promotion final.

Jones was best man at the wedding of Cougars prop Law, who said: "I had known Danny for the past 15 years. We grew up together and I played a lot of rugby with him.

"We all sat down at the beginning of the year and the ultimate goal was to win promotion. We wanted to finish top, and we've failed on that front, but we've been through a lot of adversity.

"We've got a chance now, though, and we will go to Oldham and get the job done at the first time of asking. It would be fantastic to end the season by winning promotion for Danny, for his wife Lizzie and for the twins."

Law added: "We wanted to go straight back up and be in a division that we know we're capable of playing in. We were hard done to last year and we're determined to bounce straight back.

"It would be a massive thing for Keighley to potentially play the likes of Bradford in a league derby if they don't go up. It would be huge for us and for the fans, so there is no greater motivation to go up."

Oldham have home advantage this weekend after finishing above the Cougars at the end of the regular season.

Yet Keighley will go into the game in confident mood after destroying Hemel Stags 68-16. Law scored a second-half brace but he was eclipsed by club captain James Feather, who claimed a four-try haul.

"Sunday is a one-off game and both teams will be going into it regardless of their form throughout the regular season," said Law.

"We're happy with our second-half performance against Hemel because it felt as though we were trying too hard in the first half.

"We struggled to find the right tempo and a lot of mistakes kept creeping in.

"At half-time, we sat down, got our heads together and kicked on in the second half. It's always nice to score a couple of tries – but I had to be outdone by Buster, didn't I!"

Feather, Danny Lawton, Paul White, Andy Gabriel, Rikki Sheriffe and Adam Brook have all committed themselves to Keighley for the 2016 campaign.

The Cougars have also announced the signing of second-rower John Oakes on a one-year deal.

Oakes spent the 2015 season in Australia with the Coffs Harbour Comets. He played under player-coach March at York City Knights and Hunslet Hawks.