The second of a double header against Hull KR in the Trains Cup, the Cougars were still enjoying the high praise from last weeks display when they oh so nearly upset the mighty Robins. The conditions today were exactly like last week in that we had rain, sleet and even blinding sunshine but it was much colder, this the Cougars struggled with. Minor miracles had been performed with the pitch after at least an inch of snow fell over night and but for a sturdy bunch of volunteers who removed the snow, the game would not have gone ahead.
The cougars were playing away from the score board into a strong wind which was obviously going to play its part in the proceedings. It was the mercurial Australian import James Webster who won the first half for the Rovers and it has to be said without the use of the wind, as he single handedly destroyed any hopes of a re-run of last weeks close encounter. Within thirty minutes Webster had scored his hatrick, the first was a wonderful break as Webster ran onto a beautiful pass after a break from deep, which he finished off with pace to spare, the second was a classic as he took a sweet step off the left to wrong foot the defense and again to leave the flat footed Rushforth grasping at thin air. The last was great acting half play as he caught the retreating defense flat and raced to the corner and used great skill to ground the ball. With all but the last try converted he had helped produce sixteen points. With Parker for the Cougars being sent to the sinbin for repeated off sides (unfairly in my opinion) Poucher had no problem converting the penalty. The Cougars worked really hard in defense and had to repel three consecutive sets after two drop outs but the pressure told as Makali Aizue crashed over, again converted by poucher. The cougars did manage to score in the first half after a Firth grubber kick was pounced on by Matt Foster and converted by Mitchell after hard graft and good approach work.
With the half time score at 24 6 the Cougars would have a mountain to climb but with the wind in their favour there would always be a chance, it wasnt to be. With tries from Parker, Raleigh and Epati all unconverted, the game was over and first division supremacy re-installed.
The Cougars, even off the back of this defeat continue to play well and look very good in defense. Matty Firth had a good game and again broke the line only to be let down by the support. After two very hard games in disgusting conditions, Gary Moorby can be very pleased with his teams condition and commitment; Firth, Harvey and Mitchell are producing attacking options and it wont be long before they all gel together to defeat the opposition. The final score today was 36 6 but over the two games it was down to a mere 31 point spread, which according to some people should have been twice that the Cougars were to be defeated by in the first game.
Hull KR will march on knowing that they have probably the best Scrum-half/stand-off in the league, if James Webster continues to keep this current form The rovers will be a real force to be reckoned with.
Final Score: 36 6
Attendance: 2141
Cougars MOM: Firth
Hull KR MOM: Webster
The cougars were playing away from the score board into a strong wind which was obviously going to play its part in the proceedings. It was the mercurial Australian import James Webster who won the first half for the Rovers and it has to be said without the use of the wind, as he single handedly destroyed any hopes of a re-run of last weeks close encounter. Within thirty minutes Webster had scored his hatrick, the first was a wonderful break as Webster ran onto a beautiful pass after a break from deep, which he finished off with pace to spare, the second was a classic as he took a sweet step off the left to wrong foot the defense and again to leave the flat footed Rushforth grasping at thin air. The last was great acting half play as he caught the retreating defense flat and raced to the corner and used great skill to ground the ball. With all but the last try converted he had helped produce sixteen points. With Parker for the Cougars being sent to the sinbin for repeated off sides (unfairly in my opinion) Poucher had no problem converting the penalty. The Cougars worked really hard in defense and had to repel three consecutive sets after two drop outs but the pressure told as Makali Aizue crashed over, again converted by poucher. The cougars did manage to score in the first half after a Firth grubber kick was pounced on by Matt Foster and converted by Mitchell after hard graft and good approach work.
With the half time score at 24 6 the Cougars would have a mountain to climb but with the wind in their favour there would always be a chance, it wasnt to be. With tries from Parker, Raleigh and Epati all unconverted, the game was over and first division supremacy re-installed.
The Cougars, even off the back of this defeat continue to play well and look very good in defense. Matty Firth had a good game and again broke the line only to be let down by the support. After two very hard games in disgusting conditions, Gary Moorby can be very pleased with his teams condition and commitment; Firth, Harvey and Mitchell are producing attacking options and it wont be long before they all gel together to defeat the opposition. The final score today was 36 6 but over the two games it was down to a mere 31 point spread, which according to some people should have been twice that the Cougars were to be defeated by in the first game.
Hull KR will march on knowing that they have probably the best Scrum-half/stand-off in the league, if James Webster continues to keep this current form The rovers will be a real force to be reckoned with.
Final Score: 36 6
Attendance: 2141
Cougars MOM: Firth
Hull KR MOM: Webster
Cheers to Jim Brown for the match Report
