Cougars 36, Sheffield Eagles 2m - FOUR late tries emphasised the superior fitness and pace of a Cougar side desperate to atone for the way they let victory slip through their fingers against Leigh.
This time Cougars were strong in defence -- stopping the opposition scoring a try for the first time this season -- and they were patient in attack. For long periods the teams cancelled each other out, but Keighley's superior speed and fitness eventually shone through.
After staggering around the field like a drunk on a storm-tossed ship, when he was clearly concussed after a blow on the head, Dean Hanger recovered to show the kind of pace which has terrorised Keighley over the years. The way he shot round the static Eagles defence late in the game gave hope of bright things to come.
But for much of the match Sheffield looked much like the early-season Cougar side, throwing away possession at vital moments and unable to click as a team. They were also a big side capable of considerable improvement and could upset high-flying teams later in the season.
Keighley had been quietly efficient, but the Eagles could not cope with their final flourish.
Martin Wood was outstanding. His distribution was superb and his defence prolific against his former team - and in Chris Robinson, David Larder and Simon Wray, his former team mates. He completely controlled the game for long periods supported by Ian Hughes, Nathan Antonik and hat-trick hero Paul Owen, Wood has just too may weapons in his armoury.
Wood opened the scoring in the second minute, taking his try-total to 97 in his two spells with the club. His chip was fumbled by Eagles full back John Strange and Wood winged in to pounce under the posts, leaving himself an easy conversion. Ten minutes later he landed a penalty and the Cougars looked very comfortable at 8-0.
Sheffield had other ideas and their giant pack worked hard to take control. Larder and 'Robbo' both went close before they landed a Richard Goddard penalty. Steve Walker raced 60-yards before Wray and Freeman lost possession - the Eagles' best chance had gone.
Keighley had barely started and extended their lead just before the break when super sub Owen - on for Richard Smith - went over in the corner after a quick play-the-ball on the Eagles' line. It was too far out for Wood to convert, but the Cougars looked good for their 12-2 lead at the break.
After the previous week's performance no one could be confident the game was in the bag, and Cougars missed the opportunity to show early second half flair. Once again they looked complacent in the early stages and a better team could have made them pay a heavy price.
Things certainly looked more optimistic once Owen had darted over for his second in the 43rd minute, a superb pass from Wood creating the chance and Owen's determination completing the task.
Danny Seal also began to assert himself around the ruck and could also have had a hat-trick, but had to settle for a single try scored in the 66th minute when he collected Wood's kick through and touched down for the easiest try he will ever score.
Larder looked to have put Walker over for the Eagles, but the pass was ruled forward. From then it was one-way traffic.
Wood's inside pass sent Dean Hanger away. His pace took him past the covering defence and in at the corner. From the re-start Hughes released Hanger and his pass put Jason Lee away from half way and the game was in the bag.
But the champagne moment came in the final seconds of injury time when Nathan Antonik timed his pass on halfway to perfection and Owen set off on a diagonal run to the corner. Twice he looked to be tackled, twice the Eagles defenders failed to hold on and twice he got off the floor to scramble over for a try which spoke volumes about his determination.
The try capped a professional performance, but they now face tough trips to Whitehaven and Swinton which will be crucial if Keighley are to continue to improve. They have the skill, the fitness and the pace, now they have to prove their mental toughness and display consistency in their performance throughout 80 minutes -- and from game to game -- if they are to prove they are a team worthy of a place among the best in the division.
Cougars -- Hanger; Horne, Karl Smith, Richard Smith, Lee, Pickles, Antonik, Hall, Seal, Boothroyd, Harrison, Hughes, Wood. Subs (all used): Owen, Walker, Stephenson, Thompson.
Sheffield Eagles -- Strange; Simon Wray, Walker, Goddard, Brent, Vassilakpoloulos, Aston, Wittenberg, Robinson, Wright, Glen Freeman, Wayne Freeman, Larder. Subs: Brown, Gibson, Bruce, Thompson.
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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