Cougars: Season launch success

From the archive, first published Friday 3rd Feb 2006.

COUGARS go into Sunday's clash with Bradford Bulls determined to put on an impressive show for fans heading back to the club.

A packed house enjoyed an evening of entertainment at the launch of the latest Cougar shirt on Tuesday night when coach Peter Roe introduced new players and outlined his plans for the future.

"I was delighted with the turnout of fans and the positive feeling. I think we are on the way to recreating the atmosphere of the Cougarmania years," Roe said.

He told fans that the emphasis would be on youth throughout the campaign with young players from the club's Academy forming the backbone of the squad.

"Already I have been very impressed the ability and enthusiasm of the young players and with one or two additions we are building an impressive team," he said.

Roe had hoped to get another game under their belts, at Whitehaven last weekend, but the match had to be called off after heavy overnight frost left the Cumbrian pitch unplayable. He had planned to put out a 28-strong squad to give a further test to amateur trialists, but has been denied the opportunity to give them game-time.

"I was very disappointed that the game could not go ahead, but it would have been unsafe to play in those conditions," he said.

He knows that even a reserve Bulls side, made up of players who don't feature in tonight's World Club Challenge game against Wests Tigers, will provide tough opposition.

He is expected to put out his first choice squad for the game as the season proper starts next weekend, February 12, with a visit to Halifax in the first match of the National Rail Cup.

"I know it won't be the full Bulls squad due to their World Club Challenge commitments, but we will still have our hands full. They will be players coming back to fitness and others wanting to make an impression.

"It is certainly not the result that really matters, but how we perform," Roe said.

The game will see New Zealand A international Scott Nixon in action for the first time when he will team up with player-coach Barry Eaton for what Roe hopes will be a great partnership.

The game re-introduces the Joe Phillips Memorial Trophy match which pays tribute to a great servant for both clubs. He played for both Bradford and Keighley in the 1960's and was helped reform Bradford Northern in 1964 after the club's collapse.

His widow and members of his family will be guests at the game.

Before the big match there will be warm-up games between Cowling and St Stephen's girls teams and the boys teams from Glusburn and Hothfield Street schools. There will also be a half time parade by the successful teams from Holy Family and South Craven schools to emphasise the success of the club's community work.

The club is also due to sign 16-year-old star-of-the-future Josh Scott who has been a member of the club's scholarship programme for the last three years. The Holy Family pupil is a second row forward.

n Special price £15 family tickets are available at the ground today (Friday) from Barry Eaton who will be available until 12.30 pm and from 4.30-6pm

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