There's been talk of a new era at Cougar Park and Peter Roe's enthusiastic crop proved the talk is definitely not empty.

It has been well-documented that the Cougars - with just four wins in LHF Healthplan National Two last season - are still well short of cash and the 2006 crew currently being assembled will only gain winning pay.

But given the performances against a fully-firing Batley Bulldogs in Phil Stephenson's testimonial yesterday, the Keighley squad will be collecting plenty of money when the campaign gets underway next month.

Roe watched as his bunch of keen Academy youngsters, exciting trialists, loyal, hardcore Cougars players and the superb playmaking debutant Barry Eaton, ripped into the visitors during an awesome opening quarter.

The Cougars blazed into a 16-0 lead after just 13 minutes against a far more experienced side from the division above and a memorable victory looked on the cards.

That would have been a fitting reward for prop Stephenson, now beginning his 14th season at the club and running as hard as ever, but Batley responded to sneak the win.

Roe had 27 players at his disposal in the Cougars' first hit-out and he wanted to see them all in action. The numerous interchanges that resulted meant the side lost their shape and dynamism and allowed the visitors a sniff.

But the signs were all good, the only downside being the double leg fracture suffered by Adam Mitchell that saw the No 6 stretchered off in the first half.

"Losing Adam was a big blow," admitted Roe. "The kid had been training so well

during pre-season and looked good so to break his tib and fib is bad news.

"But otherwise I was very pleased. There's lots still to work on but the kids are there and there for everyone to see.

"There's was loads of enthusiasm."

Roe - beginning his third spell at his home-town club - admitted his rolling replacement policy meant the side's early momentum couldn't be maintained.

"Sometimes I took off players who had been doing well for us to give opportunities to others," he explained.

"That might have cost us the result but our mission statement has been 'Give youth a chance' and we had 27 players trained through pre-season. You have got to be fair."

Academy prop Tobias Williams showed eye-opening pace to break 50 metres for the first try, centre Michael Fogarty on his inside shoulder to cross.

Eaton converted and then provided the pass for the club's other trialist centre - Darren Nixon - to reach over in the

opposite corner.

Nixon was spotted in the amateur game by Roe but caused Batley countless problems with his power and presence, hitting holes well, punching them if anyone got in his way, and now seems set to get the nod.

Oldham St Annes hooker Eric Johnson was another who stepped up to the mark, offering zip around the ruck and delivering great service to Eaton. He capped off a fine display with an individual try, darting from dummy half and then stepping the Bulldogs full back late on.

Roe admitted: "My main role so far has been to try and go out and recruit. One of the pleasing things for me was the lads we have been out watching were the better players for us. They all did well, which was very rewarding."

Mitchell bamboozled the Bulldogs defence to step over on 16 minutes before his unfortunate injury while Eaton continually pinned the visitors back with his renowned kicking game, looking just like the organiser Cougars have needed for some time.

The Bulldogs recovered from their nervy start with two Darren Robinson tries, the hooker burrowing over from close range before the interval, and then hit through Neil Roden just after the re-start to take the lead.

The Cougars responded but, with Mitchell, Johnson and Nixon off, lacked the cutting edge to make a long period of domination pay.

Then during two rare break outs, Batley struck through John Gallagher and Michael Kyte to take the game away from the hosts, before Johnson delivered his solo effort to provide a rousing finish.