Cougars 22, Desbury 2 - PHIL STEPHENSON put the icing on the cake of a superb Cougar victory, with a break which would put many wingers to shame.

The home grown forward shrugged off the Rams defence on the halfway line and sprinted for the posts. A slick side-step wrong-footed the Dewsbury full back and Stepho looked poised to score, but he was held just two yards short of the try line.

He popped the ball up to Matty Firth who was on his shoulder in support and Firth stepped over the line to score one of the easiest tries of his career.

Stephenson's 48-metre burst really brought the Cougar fans to life and set the seal on an impressive revenge victory.

But the foundation for the win was laid by a superb defensive display which snuffed out any hopes of a Dewsbury try.

The 8-0 half time score line looked as if they had played out a dour 40 minutes of rugby, but in truth Cougars should have scored three or four more tries. They sparkled every time they had the ball, but errors continued to creep into their play every time they got close to the Dewsbury line.

After the break the errors dried up -- and the points started to flow.

Coach Gary Moorby was more than satisfied with the performance. "We've worked our socks off all week, and although we worked very hard in the first half we had very little to show for it. I didn't think eight points would be enough, because in the past we have been guilty of lapses in concentration. This time we kept it together, we sorted out one or two things at the break and after that we were awesome at times."

Even before the break they looked like a side which had suddenly discovered a new level of confidence. Four times they broke the Dewsbury line in thrilling style only to put the final ball to ground.

Instead of having the game wrapped up, they were just a converted try and a penalty ahead. Firth continued where he had left off against London Skolars, opening the scoring in the 14th minute with a 30-metre dash to the line, taking full advantage of a slip by his opposite number, Scott Rhodes.

Adam Mitchell, who came into the squad for the injured Paul Ashton, added the conversion and landed a penalty, but Cougars should have had more than those eight points to show for their efforts.

Jason Ramshaw cut through the midfield, but his pass was round Ian Sinfield's ankles. Matt Foster raced up the left wing and his inside ball was knocked down by a relieved Dewsbury defender.

Andy Robinson also galloped up the win, but couldn't find the supporting Matt Foster. As the half wore on a second try looked even more elusive. Simeon Hoyle broke from midfield and put Richard Murville over only for the big prop to loose the ball.

The writing was on the wall for the Rams, but despite early pressure and a Danny Brough penalty, they just couldn't get back into the game.

Firth engineered the second try with a superb crossfield bomb, collected in style by Matt Foster who put Andy Robinson over in the corner.

But the try of the game was undoubtedly made by Stephenson's 65th minute barnstorming run. Mitchell may have the try against his name, but it will be Stephenson's break which fans will talk about for the rest of the season.

Mitchell added the conversion and at 18-2 the game was in the bag.

Stephenson also had a hand in the fourth and final try, putting the very impressive Dave Foster away. He shrugged off all attempts to halt his run and put Chris Wainwright in at the corner with a one-handed pass.

The style of the Cougar performance should set them up for a successful season, and come the start of the league campaign they should be in a good position to challenge for promotion, which has always been the club's main aim

Now they have to repeat the success when they travel to Donacaster on Sunday in what should be another classic encounter with ex-Cougar St John Ellis's side.