NEW ZEALAND were given a dose of 'Cougar Fever' when the Kiwi's A team took on a National League 2 side on Wednesday night.

With former Cougar coach, and ex-Keighley player, Peter Roe chief coach of the representative side there was plenty of local involvement. The team also included six Cougar players.

Jason Ramshaw was playing his final game at Cougar Park which brought his career full circle - it was Roe who brought him to Keighley from Halifax on July 27, 1992.

"He played a very important part in our victory over New Zealand and has had a superb career," Peter Roe said.

He was surprised by the ease of the 27-8 victory but put the success down to including a solid foundation of Keighley players in the team. "Everyone performed superbly," he said.

Keighley coach Gary Moorby has swapped seats with Roe, who regularly works as a match commentator on Radio Leeds. This time Moorby was the man with the microphone.

"It was strange to be watching so many of our team with somebody else in charge, but I thought they all did a brilliant job," he said.

The Cougar party continued at half time when members of the Grand Final winning squad paraded the trophy round the ground.

Tomorrow (Saturday) they are to be given a Civic Reception at City Hall in Bradford by the Lord Mayor Coun Allan Hillary.

They will tour Keighley town centre on a open top bus before heading to Bradford and will hold an autograph signing session in Town Hall square when they will also hand out team photos.

"Our fans were a big part of our success throughout the season and we want to thank them for helping us to win promotion," said Cougar coach Gary Moorby.

They will also be showing off the Grand Final trophy before heading to City Hall in Bradford for the official reception.

The bus is set to leave Cougar Park at 11.45 arriving and will reach Town Hall Square at noon when players will meet their fans. They will leave Keighley at about 12.30.

Coun Hillary said: "The Cougars' success had been a big boost for the town and I'm delighted to be able to celebrate their efforts officially.

"I would like to pay tribute to everyone involved in the club and hope Cougar supporters will turn out in force on Saturday."

Players and backroom staff are to be honoured by the Lord Mayo, but one man missing from the celebrations will be club chairman, Neil Spencer, who is on holiday in Australia.