MATCH INFORMATION
ROCHDALE HORNETS v KEIGHLEY COUGARS - BETFRED LEAGUE ONE ROUND THREE
SUNDAY 8th MARCH - 3PM KICK OFF
CROWN OIL ARENA - ROCHDALE - O11 5DS
REFEREE - MR LIAM STAVELEY (BRADFORD)
ADMISSION:
ADULT - £16
CONCESSIONS - £14
JUNIORS - £5
LOVERS: "STANDARDS HAVE SLIPPED"
KEIGHLEY Cougars' head coach Rhys Lovegrove believes standards have slipped since excellent results against Dewsbury Rams and Sheffield Eagles in their January friendlies, and he blames a lack of game time for the drop-off.
Cougars were unbeaten in pre-season but suffered a disappointing Challenge Cup defeat at home to 12-man Newcastle Thunder, then a dispiriting 24-6 loss at Workington Town in their opening League One clash last Sunday.
One of the few bright spots in the Cumbria catastrophe was a late try for Jack Coventry from the interchange bench.
Lovegrove said the prop could be considered for a starting berth in this weekend's league game at Rochdale Hornets, who promise to be a big threat after their relegation from the Championship.
Discussing Coventry's chances of a start on Sunday, Lovegrove said: "Jack's one of those blokes that just quietly gets on with it, but it affects us when he's not there.
"I like having him in the team, he's a good fit.
"We'll look at what we need for Rochdale and think about whether starting him will help us."
Asked what Rochdale will bring to the table, Lovegrove said: "They're fairly similar to Workington but then they've got players from last year who are used to that higher tempo you get when playing in the Championship.
"That stands them in good stead and they've made great recruitment over the winter, bringing in (the vastly experienced) Sean Penkywicz and Martin Ridyard on loan from Leigh.
"They've strengthened in key positions and their structure will pose us a big challenge. They'll be there or thereabouts at the end of the season, so it's time for us to step up on Sunday."
A big step up is required from Keighley after Workington, and asked whether they are struggling to replicate the positives of pre-season in competitive action, Lovegrove said: "That's right.
"I noticed little things creeping in against Newcastle and the reasoning behind that is game time.
"We've had cancellations and not been on the field much to train and play, which is what we need.
"Our left edge leaked four of our five tries (conceded) against Workington and that's the side that have not played since Sheffield."
The misery was not just confined to the result either, as prop Dalton Desmond-Walker suffered a broken hand in Cumbria.
Lovegrove said: "Dalton will be a huge miss. He's adapted well to being a Cougars player and he's a good bloke who always trains hard.
"He brings a lot to the team. He's aggressive,
direct and defensively he's second to none.
"I should find out the extent of his injury this week, so I've got my fingers crossed (for good news)."
Desmond-Walker and Ryan Wright are unlikely to play at Rochdale, while Lovegrove admits he is still sweating on the fitness of Ritchie Hawkyard and Ben Stead ahead of this weekend.
Rhys Lovegrove interview courtesy of the Keighley News
TEAM NEWS
Head Coach Rhys Lovegrove is forced into one change with Dalton Desmond-Walker ruled out with the broken hand sustained in last week's defeat to Workington.
Lovers brings in Ritchie Hawkyard and Ryan Wright for the first time since the pair returned to the club during the winter.
Will Cooke is also included after featuring for the Castleford Reserves twice in the past few weeks.
Matt Welham is unavailable once more due to the birth of his first child which is expected over the coming days with Ben Stead ruled out through a hamstring injury.
Taylor Prell drops out the squad from that which lost in Cumbria.
Jordan Aitchison (Heart) and Spencer Darley (Leg) have now returned to light training with Jack Arnold serving the 8th of his 12 game suspension.
COUGARS: Agoro; Bailey; Cooke; Coventry; Feather; Gaylor; Hallett; Hardcastle; Hawksworth; Hawkyard; Kesik; Levy; Lynam; Miller; Muranka; Parker; Seeley; Sheriff; Webster; Wray; Weight.
Rochdale Hornets Head Coach Matt Calland is expected to hand debuts to Martyn Ridyard and Brad Holroyd after the pair joined on loan from the Leigh Centurions.
Shaun Ainscough is ruled out through the injury that forced him from the field against the British Army in the Hornets last game.
HORNETS: Bloomfield; Calland; Fowden; Freeman; Hesketh; Higginson; Holroyd; Hopkins; Lea; Marriott; Moores; Nixon; Ogden; Penkywicz; Ridyard; D Sheridan; L Sheridan; Syme; Tracey; Whalley; Whitehead
VIEW FROM THE OPPOSITION CAMP
Vice-captain Andy Lea has said that making the play-offs is the main goal for 2020, as Hornets prepare for their exciting new adventure in League 1.
The season kicks-off for Hornets this Sunday at the Crown Oil Arena against Keighley Cougars, as an exciting new adventure approaches in what’s branded as a new era, with incoming chairman Andy Mazey and his board beginning their journey with the club.
“Making the play-offs is the big goal for me and all of the lads really,” said Lea.
“We know what is needed for that to happen. It's just about getting the job done each week. We are all raring to go.
“It’s going to be tough against Keighley. I’m confident going into it. There’s a good buzz about the lads and we’re eager to get the season underway.”
Hornets claimed the Law Cup against Oldham in pre-season, and progressed through to the fifth round of the Coral Challenge Cup with victories over York Acorn and the British Army Rugby League respectively, with Andy Lea claiming the man of the match award in the latter.
“Pre-season has been tough, but I’ve really enjoyed it,” said Lea.
”Matt Calland has been trying to get the best out of us all and it’s been working. We are improving each week and hopefully we keep progressing.
“We have had some goods wins, especially with it being a fresh team. All the lads have come together well and we just need to keep working hard.
“I’m really happy with the start. I’m just trying to take it game by game and give my all in each one. I want to repay the faith put into me by asking to be vice-captain with my performances on the pitch.”
The club also recently revealed the signing of former Super League half-back Martyn Ridyard, who joins on loan from Championship outfit Leigh Centurions.
He became only the third player in history to score 2,000 points for Leigh, and has scored 80 tries in over 250 appearances for the club.
“It’s a massive signing for us,” added Lea.
“Anyone with that experience and skill level can only bring good things. I’m really looking forward to playing alongside him.
“The squad come together nicely we just need to keep building each week trying to improve going into every game.”
The side also announced the signing of Brad Holroyd from the Centurions, and both could make their Rochdale debuts this weekend.
View From The Opposition Camp courtesy of the Rochdale Hornets
LADIES TEAM FIXTURES ANNOUNCED
The RFL have now confirmed the Keighley Cougars Ladies side's 2020 Championship fixtures.
Following promotion from League One and re-branding as the Cougars, the ladies got their new campaign underway last Sunday with victory over the Royal Air Force in the First Round of the Coral Challenge Cup.
New Head Coach Dave Needham's first challenge in the league is a tough trip north to face Barrow Island on Sunday 19th April.
The ladies finish the season with back-to-back home games against fierce rivals Halifax and Stanningley in mid-September.
There will also be two historic double headers, which will see both the men and ladies side play on the same day, at Cougar Park on Sunday 3rd May and Sunday 16th August.
The full fixture list is as follows:
ST PADDY'S PARTY AT CP!
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