The next generation of Keighley's female rugby players made a successful debut when the town's first ever female under-13 team finished a very creditable third in a seven team 7-a-side tournament at Wakefield.

The team has been created by a joint initiative between the Keighley Cougars 'Rugby League in Schools' programme and Keighley Albion Cats desire to form a girls team. The players, all local girls, have attended coaching sessions run in their respective schools by Cougar stars Jason Ramshaw and Matt Foster. However the team was only formed a week before the competition and the players attended two one hour coaching sessions at Cougar Park during half term.

Jason said: "The girls showed so much promise during the week that we decided to enter the competition and they really did us proud."

Albion Cats manager Andy MacDonald echoed that: "The girls were superb, none of the other teams could believe we have only just formed. Jason and Matt have done a fantastic job in just one week and unearthed some real stars of the future."

It is intended that girls will play in further tournaments before the end of the season and host their own tourament as part of the Keighley festival. Jason and Matt are to hold further coaching sessions on Friday evenings at Oakbank School at 5pm on the following dates: March 10, March 24 and April 7 where it also hoped to form a girls under-16s team. Anyone interested in joining please contact either Jason at Cougar Park or Andy on 634544. Alternatively just turn up on the night.

The Keighley girls beat Crofton 26-0, Pendle 24-16, Leyland 24-10, drew with Bradford 12-12, narrowly lost to Rochdale 16-18 and were beaten by a strong Castleford team 0-20. Keighley's try scorers were Amy Wroot (6), Emma Templeton (5), Katie Lightowler (3), Kate Roberts (2) and one each for Bethany Cawood, Laura Cawood and Kim Riley. The goals were scored by Katie Lightowler (5), Amy Wroot (4), Laura Moore (3) and Kayleigh Andrews (1). Amy Wroot, who is only 11, was named as Keighley's player of the tournament.

n Hull Dockers beat Albion Cats 20-10 in the Challenge Cup Plate semi-final.

After recently beating Hull in the league hopes were high of earning a place in the final, but skipper Laura Ackroyd was dismissed, taking a heavy toll.

The team fought bravely and only late points for Hull gave the score a one-sided appearance.

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