No expense was sparred this week as the Cougars headed to the gym for some alternative training.

The high-flying Keighley team sit atop National League Two with six wins out of six as their season goes from strength to strength and were rewarded by their coach with a tough session on the bags.

"If they want to keep collecting winning pay, they better stick to rugby league," said Gary Moorby after watching his side put through their paces by former Keighley professional John Daly.

"We worked them pretty hard. It was a surprise training session, they came down the club, we watched a video of last week's game and then I took them down to Keighley ABA.

"It was a serious training session and a bit of fun."

About 20 squad members were put through their paces on bag work, some abdominal sessions with the medicine ball as well as sparring.

The players went through three, 20-second spells in the ring, with head shots banned for safety reasons.

"It was meant to be body shots only," said Moorby. "But I think a few high ones strayed in there somewhere. The lads took the sparring pretty seriously and there was a lot of cheering going on as they slugged it out.

"They really blitzed it in there.

"I wanted to give them an alternative training session while still making sure

they got

a good

work-out and they certainly got that.

"There was a lot of endurance work and upper body work and that can only do us good in the long run.

"I think it was a beneficial session as well as good for team-building."

This trip, always a sure sign of a team high on confidence able to relax, was inspired by Moorby's admiration of pugilism.

"I have always admired boxers," added Moorby.

"There is no hiding place in the ring. You never get a chance for a breather like you do in a team sport.

"If you try and take just one second out, you end up on your backside."

The club chairman will be pleased to know that no injuries were picked up despite the number of punches thrown.