Eaton's pushing Lowe for Scotland place

10:03pm Friday 29th August 2008

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London Skolars 14, Keighley Cougars 18

Barry Eaton has urged that Neil Lowe be selected for a place Scotland’s World Cup squad after the in-form second-row scored another decisive try for the Cougars tonight.

The former Featherstone man was this week included in the initial 40-man party for Australia but his Keighley boss believes he should definitely get the final nod.

Cougars were trailing against struggling London Skolars with just nine minutes to go when Lowe popped up to make the breakthrough.

Eaton said: “He was just massive for us.

“Lowey’s hoping to go to the World Cup and if (Scotland boss) Steve McCormack saw how he played against London, with his desire and commitment, he’d certainly be high in his thoughts.

“If Steve asked me I’d definitely say ‘Take him’ because Neil is the sort of player who can come up with something just when you need it most.

“He did that for us tonight and was real class, along with Ollie Pursglove, Will Cartledge and George Rayner.”

Keighley moved back up to fourth following their final regular match but if Doncaster win against Hunslet tomorrow they will lose it.

And Eaton said his misfiring team must play better if they are going to succeed in the forthcoming play-offs.

The visitors were 8-0 down in the first half until winger Ryan Smith scored just before the hooter, Dan Potter converting to make it 8-6.

Greg Nicholson put them ahead after the break, with Potter again improving, while London saw Puna Rasaubale sin-binned for diving in late on the try-scorer.

However, it didn’t deter the 12-man hosts who fought back with Dave Ingham’s converted try just before the hour mark putting them on course for a unlikely success.

It needed Lowe to come up with his vital effort in the 71st minute to settle the contest, Potter making sure with his third kick.

Cougars played the majority of the game without a recognised hooker after both James Feather (knee) and Jermaine Wray (dead leg) went off injured in the opening 20 minutes.

But Craig Fawcett went to nine and loose forward Chris Redfearn switched to stand-off and they just got by.

Eaton said: “We’re still too far away from where we need to be for the play-offs though.

“I’ve told the lads we need to lift ourselves or we are going to have some regrets.”

If, as expected, Doncaster clinch fourth, Keighley will host Workington in a sudden-death match next Sunday.