Keighley Cougars star Steve Hall has played his last game for the club - to be with his wife who has been stricken by skin cancer.

His Australian-born wife, Tania, recently returned Down Under with their two children, Jordan, six, and Bailey, 16 months..

Mr Hall, 32, planned to join them at the end of the season when his Cougars contract expired.

But he has now learnt that Tania requires surgery and he is booked on a flight to join her next Monday. He has been released by the club on compassionate grounds.

Mr Hall said: " Tania has a lot of friends here she did not have a chance to speak to before she left. I wouldn't like them to think it is a life-threatening situation, it really is not.

"She will be undergoing surgery to have two moles removed from her back and a small piece of skin. Like any husband, I need to be at her side at this time."

Cougars coach Karl Harrison said: "It really puts rugby in perspective. His family must come first.

"Although the illness is not life-threatening, Steve needs to be there at such a difficult time.

"He would love to have gone out on a real high for the club and is desperately disappointed to miss out on the play-offs, which promise so much for the club."

But Mr Harrison added: "There wasn't a decision to make in the circumstances and I am sure the fans and everyone at the club will join me in wishing him well for the future."

Mr Hall, a prop, is in his second spell with the club after initially joining them from Bradford amateur outfit Dudley Hill in 1991.

He was a key figure in the club's Third and Second Division championship successes and Divisional Premiership triumphs in the early and mid 90s. He had a brief spell with Rochdale in 1998 but returned to Keighley after just one season away.

Mr Hall won admiration throughout the game for the way he fought back from two broken legs.

Mr Harrison said: "That summed Steve up. He had been a great servant to Keighley and a model professional. He will be sadly missed for his contribution on and off the field."

Playing colleague Jason Ramshaw, a former Cougars skipper, added: "He's been brilliant for Keighley Rugby League Club and we will certainly be keeping in touch."

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