A battle of the West Yorkshire big cats will be the opening fixture of the calendar year for Cougars as Castleford Tigers visit Cougar Park this Sunday. Billed as Jake Webster’s farewell, this was a fixture that was in the diary last year for Jake’s testimonial but sadly called off due to a frozen pitch.
JAKE WEBSTER
Jake will be taking to the field for the last time of a storied career, having formally announced his retirement in Spring 2023 when he was appointed to the Director of Rugby role at Keighley. Jake hasbeen a key part of the organisation since joining in 2020, playing a pivotal role in steering Cougars to that undefeated League 1 campaign in 2022 as well as during the home fixture Vs Bradford Bulls in2023 – setting up a memorable Charlie Graham try in a historic victory.
During his 5 years as a Castleford Tiger Jake became a real fan favourite, scoring 49 tries in 125 appearances. He played in the 2014 Challenge Cup final, Tigers’ first one since 1992, having put in some key performances during the campaign to get to Wembley including scoring in the Semi Final against Widnes. In 2017 Jake once again was a driving force behind historic achievements for Castleford as they sealed the SL League Leaders shield, finishing top of the top division in Rugby League for the first time in the club’s history.
How the Squads line up
No stranger to Cougar Park, new Castleford Head Coach Craig Lingard will be bringing a strong side for this outing, picking a side from:
Jack Broadbent, George Griffin, Sam Hall, Josh Hodson, Luke Hooley, Liam Horne, Luis Johnson, George Lawler, Paul McShane, Alex Mellor, Jacob Miller, Rowan Miles, Muizz Mustapha, Nixo Putt, Jason Qareqare, Innes Senior, Josh Simm, Charbel Tasipale, Liam Watts, Joe Westerman
Cougars will be looking to continue their preparations for the League 1 campaign, having blown the cobwebs off with a 10-46 defeat on Boxing Day against Oldham. Matt Foster will be fielding a side from:
Dan Parker, Josh Lynam, Ellis Robson, Mark Ioane, Kyle Kesik, Will Maher, Ben Stead, Aaron Harlow-Stephenson, Lewis Hatton, Adam Ryder, Max Lambourne, Matt Bailey, Aaron Brown, Lachlan Lanskey, Brandon Pickersgill, Charlie Graham, Jake Webster, Junior Sa’u, Billy Walkley, Oscar Thomas, Jack Miller
IMPORTANT TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets from last year’s cancelled fixture are not valid for this game. You must be in possession of a ticket specifically for the 2024 fixture. Refunds for the cancelled 2023 fixture can be obtained by emailing info@cougarmania.co.uk and were offered to fans last year.
GAMEDAY ITINERARY
12pm Gates open for hospitality guests
12:30pm Turnstiles open for General Admission – Cash/Card turnstiles or tickets in advance
Club shop open in the ground with full stock runs of 2024 Home, Away and Pride Shirts along with Jake Webster Testimonial Merchandise
It’s A Grind Coffee Truck open serving hot drinks and pizzas
Sweet Treats serving up your sugar fix
Bears Grill serving burgers, hotdogs and loaded nachos
Bake Box serving indulgent cakes and treats
Hall of Fame bar open pre-game
2pm Kick Off – Keighley Cougars v Castleford Tigers
Hall of Fame bar open post-game
There are no match programmes for this game.
CAR PARKING
There is no car parking available at Cougar Park. We suggest parking on Royd Ings Avenue and obeying the parking restrictions in place.
PLEASE DO NOT OBSTRUCT and businesses on the industrial estate surrounding Cougar Park as you may be liable to a parking fine, clamp or towed.
Overflow car parking is available in the Leisure Centre (BD21 3JN)
