Feather primed to Buster record

4:10pm Friday 17th October 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Record-chasing Cougars skipper James Feather is well on his way to making a ton – and joining an exclusive rugby league club.

The hardened Keighley hooker, known as ‘Buster’, heads into the 2009 season looking to become a centurion in style by playing 100 consecutive games for his home-town team.

Feather has already clocked up 82 appearances on the bounce since debuting at Oldham in February 2006 and has also remarkably started every match bar one.

He was named as a replacement at Sheffield Eagles two years ago when Jonny Wainhouse took his spot but has owned the No 9 shirt ever since.

For someone who came through Keighley’s Academy, it is a personal record to be proud of.

“I started playing with the Cougar Cubs and always wanted to play for my home-town club”, admitted Feather, who is still only aged 22.

“There have been times when I’ve had to swallow a few pain killers to get out there on the park but I’ve not had to have anything like injections to play.

“I’ve been very lucky and just want to do well for the Cougars. I joined the Cubs when I was eight and have progressed right through to the first team. It’s been fantastic and I love the experience.”

Feather, a tough operator who prides himself on his defensive dominance and regularly tops the tackle count, also has all the offensive skills to boss Cougars around the field.

They finished joint-fourth last season following an excellent campaign but he admitted: “Considering it’s been four weeks since the end, I’m missing the game already.

“It’s like a big family down at Cougar Park and the other players are my best mates. I can hardly wait for our pre-season training to start and to get into the games again.

“I don’t want to take anything for granted but I’d love to extend my record of consecutive games into the 2009 season.”

Cougars head coach Barry Eaton added: “Buster is a big part of our plans for the future. He’s talented player who is very committed to what we’re working for with the club.

“In a physical game like rugby league, it’s tough to string together so many consecutive appearances and it’s a massive achievement for him.

“I can recall playing at Swinton this season and he limped off with a couple of minutes to go. He looked 99 per cent certain to miss the following week’s fixture with the injury.

“But, typical of Buster, by the following Thursday he was running freely again and was able to play the following week. He’s a real ‘iron man’”.

Meanwhile, Cougars second-rower Richard Knight has turned down the offer of a new deal to sign a one-year contract with National League Two rivals York City Knights.