Cougars 32, York Wasps 13

MARTIN WOOD shone as the star of Cougars first match of the new century -- and gave a bumper crowd a day to remember.

Wood played a vital part in four tries, scored one and defended heroically, and even turned goal kicker.

Despite beating Wasps by almost 20 points Karl Harrison's side never looked to be firing on all cyclinders, and he later revealed that 10 of his heroes were suffering from a flu bug and should have been at home in bed.

Once on the field the illness seemed to slip away and they produced six top class tries, four others were disallowed and there were also one or two other missed chances.

York pushed Keighley all the way in the first half and it was only two great tries just before the break that finally turned the game the Cougars way.

York started with an early drop goal from Darren Callaghan, but Keighley hit back with two very well taken tries in the bottom left hand corner. Paul Owen ghosted onto a Martin Wood pass before beating two men to squeeze in. Then Wood threw a long pass out to Matt Foster who turned the York defence inside out before diving in.

Craig Robinson was unable to land either of the wide conversions.

If there is one criticism that can be levelled at the Cougar squad it is a lack of a consistent goalkicker. Craig Robinson had five chances, and could only land one easy one. Martin Wood took over and as luck would have it had three simple tap overs. The lack of a kicker has cost Keighley dearly over the last two seasons, and if there is any money left in the kitty it should be a priority.

York proved tough opponents to put away, and soon regained a narrow lead.

Matt Woodcock went over out wide, and the speedy Leroy McKenzie scooted in from acting half, with a bunch of Cougars looking for obstruction, Kevin Gray's conversion made it 11-8 to the Wasps.

Robinson landed a penalty, before Stuart Calvert and Matt Walker both had tries disallowed. The game turned on two tries which both came from nothing.

Slicker was one of three outstanding Keighley props, and his one-handed pass on the half way line to Jason Lee was pure poetry. Lee looked certain to score only to be hauled down by McKenzie. From the play the ball Keighley pushed it wide and Wood was able to stroll over.

Two minutes later more great forward play saw Phil Stephenson slip the ball to Nathan Antonik who burst away from half way, Wood converted and the game looked in the bag at 20 -11.

The second half saw some superb defending keep York at bay, all they could manage was a Gray penalty. The Cougars scored another two outstanding tries.

Wood had another outstanding game as did back row partner Ian Hughes. They were certainly the two stand out attacking players and both had key roles in the next two tries. Woods short pass sent Hughes through a gap, he shrugged off a couple of tacklers and found Steve Pickles racing up the inside to touch down.

Hughes then had a try disallowed unable to get the ball down when over. But he soon got the try he so richly deserved. Wood at last collected one of his trademark little grubber kicks, found Slicker, who put Hughes over. Wood converted both and it was 32-13, the last four tries all coming through an increasingly impressive Cougar pack.

Wood probably just shaded Hughes for the match points, he played a lead role in four tries, scored one and defend to his usual high standard. Paul Owen looked effective out of position at full back, as did Antonik at hooker, the props were awesome and Stuart Calvert, after an early miss, dusted himself off and had his best game in a first team shirt.

Batley away is always a daunting prospect and a win there this weekend will really set the Cougar season alight.

Cougars: Owen, Horne, Calvert, Foster, Lee, Wood, robinson, Hall, Antonik, Stephenson, Harrison, Hughes, Pickles. Substitutes (all used): K Smith, Walker, Hannah, Slicker.

York Wasps: Gray, McKenzie, Atkins, Lambert, Woodcock, Cain, Callaghan, hayes, Pallister, Hagan, Judge, Austerfield, Hargrave. Substitutes (All used): McCracken, Thomas, Paterson, Precious.

Referee: G Shaw (Wigan).

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.