PAUL March is urging Keighley Cougars to build on their opening-day win over York City Knights when they visit Hemel Stags for the first time on Sunday.

Keighley marked the start of their Kingstone Press Championship campaign with an impressive 28-12 success at Cougar Park on Good Friday.

Now player-coach March is targeting another win as his side travel almost 200 miles south to Hemel Hempstead to face the former Conference National outfit, who were admitted to Championship One in 2013.

He is set to be boosted by the return of his twin brother David following his recovery from the hamstring injury which kept him out of the York game.

The close-season signing from Hunslet could replace loose forward Ash Lindsay, who suffered a blow to the head during the Good Friday win.

Cougars boss March said: “The York game was a tough test for us, but technically I thought we were very good.

“Our completion rate was in the nineties and when you’ve got the ball in the opposition’s half as much as that then you make them defend for long periods.

“Now it’s on to Hemel this weekend and we want to maintain the standards we set against York.

“I’ve never played down there so we’re stepping into the unknown somewhat.

“I think, out of the squad who will travel down there, only David and Gav Duffy have experienced coming up against Hemel.”

The match will be the first-ever meeting between the sides and March, who had planned to join the Stags on loan last season only for the RFL to block the move, is looking forward to the experience.

He added: “We’re looking to set off on the coach at 7.30am and stop on our way down there, stretching our legs and getting something to eat.

“We’ll get to the ground about an

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hour and a half before kick-off, like we do at home. Hopefully we’ll be able to do the long journey back having picked up the two points.”

March came off the bench at hooker against York and exerted a telling influence on proceedings.

He said: “I just think the lads react to me better when I’m actually on the field.

“They are accountable for their actions there and then rather than waiting until half-time, full-time or even in the preview of the game.

“It just depends where I play. I came off the bench at nine against York, but I might play in a different position this week depending on who is available.

“The good news is that we came through Friday’s game okay injury-wise. Ash Lindsay took a bang to the head and might miss out this week.

“He will undergo a head test this week and if he passes it then he will play. David should be available, though, and he offers something a lot different to Ash.”

Meanwhile, Cougars’ reserves team open their Reserves Championship campaign with a home match against Leigh tonight, kick-off 7.30pm.