Demetriou vents fury on atrocious Cougars defence (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Demetriou vents fury on atrocious Cougars defence

11:49pm Sunday 6th May 2012 in Cougars By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter

Dewsbury Rams 29, Keighley Cougars 22

Jason Demetriou pointed an accusing finger at his players after the Cougars were beaten by rivals Dewsbury today.

The Rams ran in five tries at the Tetley’s Stadium to keep the pressure on Co-operative Championship leaders Halifax.

Michael Wainwright, Rob Spicer, Austin Buchanan, Andy Smith and Scott Spaven crossed for the home side.

While Craig Moss scored a brace for Cougars, with additional tries from Olly Pursglove and James Haythornthwaite, it was not enough to avert a defeat which left Demetriou deeply frustrated.

Cougars shipped three first half-tries as Wainwright, Spicer and Buchanan crossed the line to put Dewsbury in control, with Pursglove and Haythornthwaite touching down for Demetriou’s team.

The Cougars player-coach felt that his team paid for their mistakes and a failure to match Dewsbury’s desire.

He said: “I was very disappointed with our first-half performance. Dewsbury out-enthused us and we coughed up a lot of ball.

“I knew it was going to be tough coming here but I was surprised just how well they attacked with ball in hand.

“We were better in the second half but we came up with some major, individual errors. Some of players have really let the team down.”

Nevertheless, Cougars were still in the game at the break and Moss’ two second-half tries put them on course for victory until Dewsbury upped the tempo as the game progressed.

Smith went over in the 61st minute and Spaven applied the dramatic killer score in the 77th minute as Dewsbury powered to victory with a fine display in the final quarter.

Demetriou added: “At 23-22, we could have still snatched it but our defence late on was nothing short of atrocious.

“I’ve told the boys that I won’t stand for it – next week’s video session will be a tough watch.

"I’m not too worried about the league ladder at this stage but we’re now going to have to pick up successive wins to remain in line with our targets.

“We allowed ourselves one bonus point and that was it.”

Demetriou spared Jy-mel Coleman his wrath, saying: “I thought Jy-Mel Coleman was absolutely fantastic. He’s getting some more game-time and he’s doing well.”