Cougars show their mettle in the elements

10:21pm Friday 21st March 2008

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Hunslet Hawks 0, Keighley Cougars 26

Chuffed Cougars boss Barry Eaton was "proud" of his side after they opened their Co-operative National League Two campaign in style tonight.

Keighley grabbed five tries while ruthlessly nilling hapless Hunslet, delivering a thoroughly professional performance.

It looked like being a tough opening fixture for Eaton's side with the game scoreless for much of the first half and defences on top.

But the visitors, with an excellent pack performance, always looked capable of causing damage and centre Dan Potter finally got the breakthrough just before the interval.

They then opened up in the second period, Neil Lowe, Eaton, Richard Knight and Hawks old boy George Rayner all going over.

The Cougars were even down to 11 men at one point with loose forward Chris Redfearn and player-coach Eaton both in the bin but they showed tremendous courage and resilience to keep their line intact and actually increased their lead.

Eaton had been worried about his side's defensive slip-ups in the Northern Rail Cup but they came good tonight, refusing to give Hunslet a sniff and picking up a hard-earned two points.

"It was an excellent performance," said Eaton.

"Conditions were terrible and we were playing into gale-force winds in the first half.

"You wouldn't have thought it though the way we went - really tight and very direct.

"I felt we were pretty dominant right through the game, despite it only being 4-0 up at half-time.

"We kept doing the same things in the second half, powering forward, and it took its toll on Hunslet.

"I'd questioned our defence but they really showed up tonight and to nil anyone is a great achievement.

"I'm proud of the boys and it's a great start but now we have to back it up against Swinton on Monday."

Redfearn and Hunslet's Dean Townend were yellow-carded on 37 minutes for fighting but soon after former Widnes ace Potter crossed, getting his second try in as many games since joining the club.

Eaton was binned on 44 minutes for a professional foul - although the referee got the wrong offender - but it didn't deter his side, who carried on regardless.

Lowe stormed in for his effort and then, upon his return to the field, veteran Eaton sliced through again, Knight converting to make it 14-0.

When Knight reached the whitewash himself just after the hour mark, improving his own score, Hunslet were doomed.

Townend was dismissed again, red-carded after leading with his elbow on 68 minutes, and it was left to full back Rayner to finish the job against his former team-mates in the dying seconds.

Knight kicked his third conversion and Eaton added: "George Raynor was outstanding for us at full back.

"He returned kicks fantastically and did great in really difficult conditions with that breeze.

"James Feather set the platform for us at hooker too before Jermaine Wray came on and ripped them up, while the forwards were excellent."

Keighley play host to Swinton at Cougar Park on Easter Monday (7.30).

They edged a high-scoring thriller tonight, being made to go all the way by Blackpool before finally winning 44-30.

Cougars will be without Redfearn (knee) and Jon Presley (shoulder) though, who both picked up injuries against Hunslet.