COUGARS are searching for more players to add backbone to the gutsy squad which took everything Leigh could throw at them on Wednesday night's Trans-Pennine Cup Final -- and walked away with their heads held high.

Coach Steve Deakin was on a scouting mission this week after a hectic period which saw his team play two tough games in four days.

On Sunday they pulled off a classic victory over Sheffield Eagles with former local amateur Chris Hogg writing his name in the club's history books.

Only weeks ago he was playing with Keighley Albion, but stepped in to fill the full back's shoes at Cougar Park and has become an instant favourite with the fans.

The tenacious 'Choggy' grabbed two tries to secure a vital win which boosted his side's hopes of hanging on to a place in the top eight of the Northern Ford Premiership, and a place in the play-offs.

When almost the full senior squad walked out on the club a month ago, the chance of keeping a place in the top eight looked an impossible dream, but they could still make the grade.

Although their chances of reaching the play-off final will still be slim competition against the top clubs will be invaluable as Deakin works to build a brand new team capable of taking on the best next season.

The return of 'Two Bobs' Robert Roberts, who started his professional career at Cougar Park, has also lifted the spirits of fans on the terraces. Older and wiser, he has already shown that he is a determined performer prepared to give everything for the Cougar cause.

After a rough-tough encounter on Wednesday, which saw more on-field fighting than has been seen all season at Cougar Park, the team will have to patch up their bruises and travel to Featherstone Rovers.

"If things go our way I think this is a game when we can spring another big surprise," Deakin said.

He was working with his squad to make sure there were no more serious injuries and hopes to have a similar line-up in action for the league game.

Phil Stephenson produced an awesome performance against Leigh despite playing with a broken toe, and he will be a key figure in the match against Peter Roe's team which has been quietly clawing its way up the NFP table.

Off the field the club's partnership with Link Telecom and mobile phone network Orange, had been paying dividends and in the first few days had raised £3,000 for the club.

"The response to the phone deal has been superb and we have hardly started to promote it fully, but we will have a float in the gala and will be starting to really push the deal in the next couple of weeks," said campaign co-ordinator Gareth Haymer.

The club has also held high-level talks with Bradford Council and is thought to be close to clinching a deal which could provide the help they need to get through the present season.

Former director Mike Smith said: "The initial meeting went very well and the council's finance people are now looking at the situation and hopefully there will be another meeting next week."