Cougars forced to hang on

8:21pm Sunday 10th August 2008

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Cougars 26, Workington Town 20

Nervy Cougars had to stagger home before finally beating Workington for a fourth time this season.

Barry Eaton’s side completed a Northern Rail Cup double over the Cumbrians earlier this year and today did likewise in National League Two – but it wasn’t easy.

Keighley looked in total command when Chris Redfearn went over for the first of his two tries on 19 minutes, Danny Jones’ conversion making it 12-0.

But Eaton then brought off strong-running props Simon Bissell and Andy Shickell, who had set much of the platform, and the hosts lost all impetus.

The promotion-chasers dropped off too many one-on-one tackles in the middle as the Workington pack gained confidence, allowing livewire scrum half Carl Forber to exert his influence.

The game was not decided until Ollie Pursglove raced onto Neil Lowe’s grubber two minutes from time and even then the visitors hit back in injury time as Ryan Benjafield sliced through more weak Cougars defence.

Keighley stay fourth but Eaton knows his side must shape up fast if they are going to be a hit in the play-offs.

Skipper James Feather burrowed over from dummy half for the opening try before popping up a fantastic off-load for Redfearn and the Cougars were on the march.

But evidence of their defence crumbling first came to the attention when Workington stand-off Mark McCully stepped through some feeble efforts on the last, Forber improving.

Keighley hit back with a fine try from Ryan Smith, who raced in down the touchline from halfway, impressive stand-off Jones putting the winger clear.

McCully thought he was in for his second just before the break but the stand-off got brought back for a forward pass and the hosts breathed easy as they went in 16-6 up.

Eaton had made just one change to the side that heroically defeated Doncaster last week, scrum half Craig Fawcett returning for the injured Jon Presley.

However, the chief was forced into a reshuffle near the end of the first half when winger Sam Gardner departed with a neck injury.

Playing into a big wind, Keighley continued to struggle to regain any momentum in the second period and it was no surprise when mighty Town prop Chris Young dived over in the 54th minute.

Jay Duffy missed the easy conversion attempt to leave it 16-10 but Keighley felt they had extended their lead when Dan Potter sneaked in front of Jay Mossop to rise and collect Jones’ clever chip.

A touch judge ruled him offside but they did manage to go further in front just after the hour mark.

The unlikely figure of second-rower Will Cartledge put a delicate grubber down the touchline which Redfearn hacked on before Feather picked up and kicked again for Redfearn to get his second.

Jones’ conversion made it 22-10 but the home side did not push on and fell back into their old ways.

Workington winger Martyn Wilson made the most of some shocking defence, bumping off tacklers with ease to go over, Forber’s kick getting his side back to within a score.

The visitors bombed a chance out wide moments later, while Jones was needed to make a flying tackle on Ian Marsh to deny the Town centre in the corner.

It needed Pursglove to finally make it safe but before then an incident was put on report when Forber complained of being bitten by a Keighley opponent.