Telegraph & Argus report from Nathan Atkinson
Cougar Park played host to the first game of the new elite British rugby league season on Saturday and fans who braved the winter weather were treated to a cracker.Keighley entertained Sheffield Eagles in a pre-Christmas friendly and were never quite able to get their noses in front, the visitors eventually winning the game 26-22.
With a host of players from either side making their debuts, it was the new-look Sheffield who clicked first. Joe Brown and Kai Morgan both scored tries for the Eagles in the opening eight minutes, and with the latter’s effort converted by Jordan Lilley, they quickly moved 10 in front. But speedy full back Connor Sayner soon crossed the whitewash to narrow the gap with a converted try. And winger David Foggin-Johnston marked his return from two years out with a cocaine ban to level the scores after 18 minutes.
After that try, the two sides were deadlocked at 10-10 for more than a quarter of an hour. Former Cougars hooker Harry Bowes was brilliantly kept out as he tried to plunge over the line for Sheffield, while the home sides were held up under the sticks shortly afterwards. The Eagles did eventually take a narrow lead into half-time, with Connor Bower’s neat line break finished off by Kieran Gill. Lilley added the extras to ensure Sheffield reached the interval with a 16-10 lead. The visitors extended their lead after 54 minutes following a costly Keighley knock on just in front of their own posts.
From the resulting scrum, Sheffield worked the ball to former Cougars winger Billy Walkley, who touched down in the left corner. Lilley failed to land the difficult conversion attempt, but his side still had a healthy 10-point lead. Keighley never gave in and after more good tackling kept out the Eagles, they responded with a try on 63 minutes through winger Brad Holroyd. That was converted to bring the deficit down further, only for Conor Fitzsimmons to power over from close range shortly afterwards. Lilley converted that score to put Sheffield 26-16 in front.
Cougars had the final word, veteran hooker George Flanagan crossing the whitewash for a converted try with three minutes of the game left. But Sheffield saw out the rest of the game to ensure they claimed a narrow victory.
Cougars head coach Alan Kilshaw admitted a number of his players suffered from bumps, bruises and tightness, Junior Nuu, Matty Beharrell, Brandon Pickersgill and Izaac Farrell among them, but he appeared hopeful that all of them would be available in the New Year. Cougars have a Christmas break now, but Kilshaw confirmed their plans before they kick off their Betfred Championship season at home to Goole Vikings on Sunday, January 18.
Keighley will first have an opposed session against Oldham, then a friendly against London Broncos at Cougar Park on Sunday, January 11.
