SIMEON HOYLE will be out of action for the next two Cougar games after being banned by Rugby League's disciplinary committee.

Hoyle was brought before the committee at the game's Red Hall headquarters on Tuesday after being reported for a dangerous tackle during their clash with Hunslet. He received a two match ban and was fined £100 by the panel.

The influential player has been one of the top performers of the season and the ban will leave coach Gary Moorby with a big hole to fill.

But he has plenty of choice with James Rushforth having recovered from a calf injury and no other injuries in the squad.

Hoyle will miss this weekend's crucial trip to Barrow and the equally important home game against Sheffield Eagles the following weekend.

Sunday could be a real make-or-break day for teams at the top of National League 2, as all four top clubs play each other.

Cougars, who are in third place, face Barrow who are in fourth spot while the top two -- Sheffield and Chorley -- also meet. If Chorley beat Sheffield they will open the way for Cougars to go back to the top of the table, providing they beat Barrow by more than five points.

The three top clubs are currently level at with only points-difference between them. Cougars are just five points behind the Chorley Lynx.

Last weekend's 35-6 victory over Workington Town will certainly have given Gary Moorby plenty of food for thought. Matt Foster had a storming game at full back standing in for the injured Rushforth, and he also took over the captain's arm band.

The players added to the squad also turned on impressive performances.

Moorby said: "I thought the guys we brought into the side made a significant impact. Richard Mervill was a real handful with his powerful running and Adam Mitchell lifted us when he came on and really threw himself into the thick of things.

"Mick Durham came up with a typically tireless performance in both defence and attack while Matt Foster had a great game at fullback, always looking dangerous with his open field runs."

He added: "I was very pleased with the overall performance. It wasn't perfect but we only conceded one try and scored seven. I thought we looked sharper and more committed to the cause, we created plenty of chances and could have had several more tries.

"We must now build on the performance and use it to ignite our push to regain top spot. We have a difficult trip to Barrow at the weekend, but I believe that if we show the same commitment and enthusiasm we are capable of getting the two points."

n The Cougar Academy pulled off a thrilling 19-16 victory over London Broncos last weekend and are back at Cougar Park tomorrow (Saturday) when they take on Wakefield Trinity Wildcats at 2.30pm.

"We hope there will be a bumper crowd to encourage the young team," said manager Jeremy Crowther.