Cougars coach Paul March believes a watching brief on the sidelines helped Scott Leatherbarrow win the Premier Sports Championship Player of the Week.

The former Wigan Academy half-back played a key role in wins over Barrow and Hunslet that lifted Keighley from bottom place to ninth in the table.

His efforts saw him take the plaudits and March said: “I left Scott out against York a couple of weeks back so that he could sit on the sidelines and watch what was going on during games.

“He took it all on board, and when I put him back in the side he had a massive impact on both our wins over Easter.

“Scott has a great kicking game, is a good goal kicker, and organises the team. He definitely showed what he can produce in those two games.”

Leatherbarrow and Halifax hooker Paul Handforth picked up points in both of their teams’ matches over the Easter weekend to climb the table for the Player of the Year award.

Handforth moves up to joint third while Leatherbarrow is just a point behind.