MATCH INFORMATION
WORKINGTON TOWN v KEIGHLEY COUGARS - BETFRED LEAGUE ONE ROUND TWO
SUNDAY 1ST MARCH - 3PM KICK OFF
DERWENT PARK - WORKINGTON - CA14 2HF
REFEREE - MR TOM CRASHLEY (CASTLEFORD)
ADMISSION:
ADULT - £15
CONCESSIONS (Over 65's, Student, Unemployed, 16-19) - £10
JUNIORS (15 & Under) - £3
BUSTER: "WE'RE DESPERATE TO WIN"
KEIGHLEY Cougars stalwart James Feather is excited at the prospect of his side mounting a promotion push, even if that will spell retirement once and for all.
The 35-year-old player-coach, who joined Cougars in 2003, admitted that the Championship would be a step too far for him, but he feels that he still has plenty to offer in 2020.
Whether that ends up being mainly off the field remains to be seen, with Feather lavishing praise on his two fellow first-team hookers, Kyle Kesik and Ryan Wright.
It is likely that captain Kesik will get the nod over Feather for Cougars' League One season opener at Workington Town on Sunday, part of tough start to the season that the latter is pleased with.
Discussing his now-twilight years, Feather said: "It's becoming a lot tougher now. I said I'd retire at the end of last year, but I had a good season.
"We're a group that all get on and are desperate to win, so who wouldn't want to be a part of that?
"But if we can win the league or get promoted, then I'll retire, because the Championship would be a step too far.
"I'm a realist, I know I'm coming towards the end, but I'm not done yet. I can give still give more to Cougars this season.
"I 100 per cent want to stay on as a coach beyond this season. Rhys (Lovegrove) is a good coach and he's even younger than me, so we can go forward helping each other out with our coaching."
Feather is keen to help out Kesik here and now, though he admitted the former Doncaster man is already a special talent.
He said: "I've dedicated myself to playing this season but it's a strong squad and Kyle is one of the best nines outside the top four Championship clubs. He could play in that league no problem.
"I hope I can help develop his game, but then he's already a good all-round player who could be here for the next few years.
"I don't mind pushing him (for a start) but then we've got Ryan Wright coming back, who's a different type of hooker to me.
"We've a couple of good young lads in the pack but if they're not performing, I could pressure on them and play there.
"I want to play but I might miss a few. As an experienced player, like Jake Webster, I'll come in when needed."
Neither Webster or Feather started against Newcastle Thunder in Cougars' disappointing 16-12 Challenge Cup third round defeat a fortnight ago.
Feather still felt the team acquitted themselves well against 12-man Newcastle, saying that with better attacking decisions, they could have racked up 30 points against the big-budget North East side.
Keighley face Thunder early on in the league season too, part of a tough start which includes Rochdale Hornets, Barrow Raiders, Doncaster and first, Workington.
Feather is happy with the fixture list, explaining: "I'd rather challenge ourselves early on, because it's no use playing the bottom sides early on, then not being ready for the step up.
"I think all of our first five are against sides that should be challenging for the play-offs, but if we're thinking about winning the league, we've got to beat these teams.
"We might catch them cold, so playing them at the start is the best way."
James Feather interview courtesy of the Keighley News
TEAM NEWS
Head Coach Rhys Lovegrove welcomes both Jake Webster and Dan Hawksworth back into his squad after the pair recovered from the injuries that kept them out of the Challenge Cup defeat to Newcastle.
Taylor Prell, who missed the Thunder game due to work commitments, returns to the side with Ben Stead brought into the 21 man squad after also missing the Cup loss through work.
Spencer Darley (Leg) misses the trip to Cumbria through injury with Will Cooke dropping out of the squad from a fortnight ago.
Matt Welham is unavailable for selection this weekend with his partner expected to give birth over the coming days.
Ryan Wright (Ankle) is ruled out once more through injury with Jack Arnold still serving a suspension.
COUGARS: Agoro; Bailey; Coventry; Desmond-Walker; Feather; Gaylor; Hallett; Hardcastle; Hawksworth; Kesik; Levy; Lynam; Miller; Muranka; Parker; Prell; Seeley; Sheriff; Stead; Webster; Wray.
Workington Head Coach Chris Thorman includes new signing Ryan Wilson in his side following the forward's arrival from amateur side Ellenborough Rangers.
Wilson replaces Ethan Bickerdike in the 21 man squad in the only change made by Thorman from last weekend's victory over Doncater in the Fourth Round of the Challenge Cup.
TOWN: Barnes; Bolton; Curwen; A Dawson; H Dawson; Doran; Fell; Fitzsimmons; Forber; Hall; Lancaster; Marwood; Maudling; Miller; Moi Moi; O'Brien; Ramsden; Scholey; Wellington; Wilson; Young.
VIEW FROM THE OPPOSITION CAMP
Workington Town head coach Chris Thorman believes the club are only taking their first steps in what he hopes will be a long-term journey under his stewardship.
The Town boss was far from concerned about any signs of rustiness in his squad in their season opener and was philosophical about how far along the club is in their rebuild.
Thorman signed a three-year contract in September to stay as the club’s head coach and implement his long-term vision.
He said: “Anything worth gaining in life, there’s a process of how you get to it.
“This club’s on a journey at the minute and from my point of view we’re just setting off.
“We had a reasonable end to the season last year and we were one game off from the play-off final.
“We’ve still got a significant amount of building to do behind the scenes, off the field and on the field too.
“It’s a work in progress but what we need to do is get better every week, accumulate good days during the week which will ensure a good performance on a Sunday – and that’s the same off the field too.
“There’s lots to be excited about and we’re in the next round of the cup which was assignment complete.”
View From The Opposition Camp courtsey of the Cumbria News & Star
LADIES TEAM IN ACTION ON SUNDAY
The Keighley Cougars Ladies team get their 2020 season underway this Sunday afternoon as they face the Royal Air Force in the First Round of the Coral Women's Challenge Cup.
The game, which is being streamed live by the RFL on the Twitch platform, is being played at the home of the Boston Buccaneers club in Lincolnshire.
It will mark the first game for the team under the Cougars banner and also be the first time newly appointed coach Dave Needham gets to see his new side in action.
As well as retaining the core of last season's successful Keighley Albion side, the ladies have also made several new signings with players joining from other clubs, including recruits from York City Knights, Thatto Heath Crusaders and Halifax.
If you would be interested in attending the game, there is still seats available for £10 per person on the ladies coach which leaves the Three Horses pub on Fell Lane at 9am.