Hull KR 44, Cougars 12 - COUGARS went a long way towards restoring their shattered pride with a committed performance against Hull KR in the National League Cup.

The competition, which is seen by many as a mid-season interruption, is set to provide coach Gary Moorby with an opportunity to search for new talent and give his present players a chance to get plenty of game-time under their belts.

On Humberside they were far from out-classed in the opening stages of the game, but their hopes were wrecked in a cruel five minute period interrupted by the half-time hooter.

The omens did not look good when the home side's full back Bob Everitt carved a gaping hole in the Cougar defence after just three minutes to race over for the opening try. Chris Charles added the conversion and an ominous hush descended on the army of Cougar fans who had made the Easter Monday trip to Craven Park.

Earlier in the season similar early tries have been followed by collapses so spectacular that the Keighley team would have been better climbing straight back on the bus. This time they dug deep and showed some of the determination which had been sadly lacking in the previous week's game against Swinton.

The effervescent Matty Firth laid the foundation for the first Cougar score with a towering kick, a much under-used ploy, which Alex Godfrey failed to collect for Rovers and Karl Smith took no second invitation to drop over the line. Paul Ashton added the conversion to put Cougars back on level terms.

Smith, who was back in action after a rib injury, looked to have gained a new appetite for getting into the thick of the action and could release his true potential, which has often appeared to be trapped just beneath the surface.

Skipper Danny Fearon was unavailable after starting a health and fitness course and full back James Rushforth, who is probably the team's most improved player this season, was promoted. He revelled in the new responsibility and in recent weeks has shown increased determination, particularly in one-on-one tackling, which has not been the strongest part of his game.

Two penalties eased Rovers into a 10-6 lead, but they were far from running away with the contest. But as the clock ticked down towards the break Paul Fletcher powered over the Cougar line and Charles added his fourth goal to deliver a telling blow right on half time.

At 16-6 there was still hope that the terrier-like Cougar side could claw their way back against the much bigger Rovers outfit, but immediately after the re-start Charles delivered the knockout punch. He raced onto a superb pass to score his first try and tagged on the conversion.

Godfrey made up for his earlier fumble of the high ball by racing in for a try and Charles made it six from six kicks with another conversion.

On-loan signing, 18-year-old Tommy Gallagher, showed his skill to boost the Cougar morale with a well worked try and Ashton added the kick to bring the score back to 28-12. However, in the closing stages Rovers showed their superiority with further tries from Charles, Whetu Taewa and Mark Cain, while Charles added two conversions to take his personal tally to 24 points.

Seventeen-year-old Matthew Steel made a promising debut and Craig Horne returned from long term injury to add an extra dimension to the team on attack.

Simeon Hoyle also has time to discover his true potential as he works to fill the gaping hole left by Jason Ramshaw's absence from the team.

But Moorby is determined to find a couple of experienced players to give some stability to the fragile youthful enthusiasm of his side.