COUGARS star Paul Handforth has paid tribute to retiring twins Paul and David March, saying: “They have been fantastic servants to the game.”

The brothers have enjoyed distinguished careers at the highest level but hung up their boots following Sunday’s Play-Off Final defeat to Swinton.

Player-coach Paul March made his 400th career appearance earlier this season and David spent his last season at Cougar Park after arriving from Hunslet ahead of the 2015 campaign.

Half-back Handforth said: “I played with them at Wakefield when we were all kids and I think referees will be glad they have retired!

“They have always said what they think and they like to have a running conversation with officials throughout the game.

“But after the careers they have had and the amount of appearances they have made, there is no doubt the March twins have been fantastic servants to rugby league.

“It says a lot for their quality because not many players make that many appearances. It has been a pleasure to play with them at Wakefield and then to do so again at Keighley, so I wish them all the best.

“I think they can both have a good career in coaching and retiring from playing will help Paul to be able to step back and focus on coaching now, as opposed to coaching and playing. Keighley will reap the benefits, I’m sure.”

Handforth was left devastated by the defeat to Swinton, which denied Cougars an immediate return to the Championship.

He said: “It wasn’t meant to be. We’ve had a really up and down season and had a lot to cope with and get over this year.

“To fall one point short in the final game just typifies what we’ve been through.

“But the team will regroup and stick together like we have done all year after all the tragedy and ups and downs we’ve had.

“It’s heartbreaking to go so close but we’ll go again next year and hopefully achieve our goal.”

Cougars were left to rue a poor first-half defensive display which saw them ship five tries.

Handforth said: “It was inexcusable because they came through the middle twice and on our edge once, with the same player missing a couple of tackles.

“They are tackles which you make every week but in big-game situations, good teams like Swinton make you pay.”

Handforth saw a drop-goal attempt charged down by Josh Barlow late on and then lost his footing as he set himself for a second effort in the closing stages.

He said: “The first one I nailed and I don’t know where he came from but it was a great charge-down.

“The second one, I stepped him and then lost my footing. You’re frantic in that situation and it’s just one of those things.”

Handforth, who turned 34 on Tuesday, is yet to make a decision on whether he will play on next season.

He explained: “I’ll sit down and have a chat with Marchy about it in the next week or two, but I’m probably edging towards going round again and getting Keighley promoted before I retire.”