MATCH INFORMATION
KEIGHLEY COUGARS v HUNSLET RL - BETFRED LEAGUE ONE ROUND NINETEEN
SATURDAY 10TH AUGUST - 6PM KICK OFF
COUGAR PARK - KEIGHLEY - BD21 3RF
REFEREE - MR NICK BENNETT (SHEFFIELD)
ADMISSION:
ADULT - £10
CONCESSIONS - £5
JUNIORS - FREE
LOVERS: "I WANT TO GIVE EXCITEMENT"
RHYS Lovegrove says he wants to give the Keighley Cougars fans an exciting end to the Betfred League One season, starting with a derby clash this Saturday night.
Cougars entertain Hunslet on Saturday night (6pm) as they look to build on the momentum of their 46-20 victory at Coventry Bears.
The Cougars head coach says his side have a tough task ahead of them under the Cougars Park floodlights, but he wants to end the season with a flourish and do it the right way.
He said: "I want to see the things we have been working on over the last four to six weeks come out during games.
"I want a common thread in the way we play and my stamp on the team coming to the fore.
"I like to play expansively, it would be nice to produce a good, consistent and solid performance.
"The quality of Hunslet is well known. I personally like playing on a Saturday night. For most of the clubs I have played with during my career I have played on a Sunday, but the Friday night games were always good. Under the lights brings a bit of excitement.
"We want a good end to the season, but it depends on how we do it. That matters the most. The results should take care of themselves really."
Lovegrove added the Cougar Park faithful have really played their part this season in supporting the team, leading to a good home record. Cougars have this week re-enlisted the #PackThePark message on social media ahead of Hunslet's visit.
He added: "When we play at home the support we have is absolutely amazing. The fans are great.
"Having that support makes the players feel comfortable.
"For everyone involved in the club this year has been difficult. The supporters have stuck by us through thick and thin."
TEAM NEWS
Head Coach Rhys Lovegrove has named a provisional 20 man squad ahead of Saturday's visit of Hunslet to Cougar Park.
Following his debut last weekend, Adam Allerton drops out of the squad as does Alfie Seeley, who is unavailable for selection.
Mark Barlow, who also made his debut last Sunday in Rugby, also misses out from last week's victory.
Benn Hardcastle and Jack Arnold have both recovered from the illness that forced them both to withdraw late from the squad last Sunday.
Lewis Wray, Taylor Prell and Louis Sheriff are all brought back into the side after all missing out on last week's victory with Billy Gaylor returning to the squad for the first time sine May following a string of impressive performances in the reserves.
Matt Nicholson (Concussion), Josh Lynam (Neck) and Jordan Aitchison (Hamstring) all remain long-term injuries for Lovegrove's side.
COUGARS: Arnold; Bailey; Coventry; Cullimore; Darley; Dixon; Feather; Gaylor; Hallas; Hallett; Hardcastle; Levy; Miller; Moran; Muranka; Parker; Prell; Sheriff; Welham; Wray.
Hunslet Head Coach Gary Thornton has been forced into a number of changes.
Gareth Potts, Simon Brown and Jon Luke Kirby are all ruled out through suspensions handed to them last week by the RFL's disciplinary panel.
Reece Dean and Ben Heaton are both ruled out through injury but Adam Robinson (Neck) returns after being sidelined for last weekend's victory over North Wales Crusaders.
There is also no room in the squad for Nathan Chappell following last Sunday's home victory.
Reece Chapman-Smith comes in from Halifax on dual-registration and Callum Lancaster also joins the club on loan from Hull FC and goes in for his Hunslet debut.
Danny Nicklas also comes into the side from last week's victory over the Crusaders.
There is all host of former Cougars in the side with Mike Emmett, Josh Tonks, Ryan Wright and iPro Sport Cup winning try scorer Charlie Martin all named in Thornton's side.
HUNSLET: Andrade; Ashton; Bloomfield; Braham; Chapman-Smith; Emmett; Halafihi; Haley; Hawksworth; Lancaster; Lee; Martin; Nicklas; Robinson; Sanderson; Straugheir; Tonks; Watson; Wright.
INSIDE THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF #CDQ
INSIDE THIS WEEK'S ISSUE OF #CDQ
Pull-out poster of Jack Miller
20Q with Taylor Prell
10 Things You Didn't Know About with Jason Muranka
Player In Focus with James 'Buster' Feather
A full in-depth look at Saturday's opponents, Hunslet RL
AND MUCH, MUCH MORE FOR JUST £2!
DEAN AND FRANK MOVED TO NEW ROLES
Keighley Cougars have this week announced the appointments of Dean Muir and Frank Levy as Assistant Coach and Team Manager.
Muir will step up to the position of number two to Head Coach Rhys Lovegrove following the end of the current season, leaving his role as Head Coach of the reserves following the news earlier this week that the Cougars application was unsuccessful.
Muir has long been credited with the development and push through of a number of current and former Cougars stars and this hasn't gone unnoticed by the Head Coach.
"Deano was my first choice to be number two," admitted Lovegrove.
"He has a great history and knowledge here at the Cougars and his track record when it comes to teaching and developing younger players is second to none.
"I'll be the first to admit I'm a person who likes things done a certain way and Dean really buys into my way of thinking and teaching methods when it comes to coaching Rugby League.
"I speak to Dean on a regular basis, sometimes first thing in a morning or very late at night because we think in a similar way and it has already formed a connection between the two of us that can only be beneficial when it is translated into teaching the players and coaching this club going forward.
"I'm delighted that he has agreed to step up to the role and I look forward to what we can teach and deliver both on and off the field."
Levy, father to back rower Aaron, has overseen the reserve grade since his return to the club in 2017 after previously bring involved in the running of both the scholarship and reserves during his first stint at Cougar Park.
Frank has now been moved into his new position, overseeing all logistical matters relating to first team matters, as a part of the coaching staff restructure under Head Coach Rhys Lovegrove following the news yesterday that the club will no longer compete in the reserves competition.
His role will also include all liaison roles between the clubs playing, coaching, media and administration departments.
The club is delighted that Frank has agreed to his new role within the Cougars and look forward to many more years of his loyal service.
