COUGARS have been handed a £20,000 donation - to launch a team development fighting fund.

The mystery benefactor has asked not to be named, but chairman Neil Spencer said: "The money has come from a lifelong supporter and the aim is to launch a fund to help develop the first team squad. Now we would like to hear from anyone else who is prepared to add their support."

New manager Peter Roe took up his post on Monday and announced his first signing 19-year-old Academy player Tom Palmer.

"I have seen Tom in action with the youth teams and I think he has a very bright future ahead of him. We are following up the progress that has been made in recent years with the youth programme, and this signing emphasises my belief that an emphasis on youth will be the way forward for the Cougars."

Tom was born in Garforth, Leeds and started playing rugby as a 5-year-old and moved to Silsden when he was 11 and attended South Craven School. He played with the Cougar Cubs from the Under-11s, was voted the Players' Player in the Under-18s and was recently names 'Most Improved' Cougar Academy player.

n South Craven Year-7 Boys Rugby League team pulled off another stunning victory to qualify for the Yorkshire Powergen Schools Final.

The final will be played at the KC Stadium in Hull as a curtain-raiser to the Great Britain v Australia Tri-nations game to be held on Saturday 19th November.

After winning the North Yorkshire qualifying stages in York, the school went to the Dewsbury Rams stadium where they beat Whitkirk of Leeds, St John Fisher of Dewsbury and Queensbury from Bradford.

They will play Castleford High School in the curtain raiser to the test match.

Jeremy Crowther, community development said: "Win or lose it will be a tremendous occasion for the boys..

n Cougar coach Peter Roe is pictured with his first signing, Academy player Tom Palmer.