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It’s Cup Final Day – York Preview


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<p>Keighley Cougars v York City Knights Match Preview by Joshua Chapman (@JRCSport)</p>

<p>Date: Saturday 28th May</p>

<p>Time: 12:00pm</p>

<p>Venue: Bloomfield Road, Blackpool.</p>

<p>After falling to a shock defeat in London last Saturday afternoon, the Cougars now have their eyes firmly set on Blackpool this Saturday as they look to lift the iPro Sport Cup.</p>

<p><strong>LAST TIME OUT:</strong></p>

<p>The Cougars fell to a shock 30-20 defeat to the London Skolars at the New River Stadium. After going into half-time 18-0 behind, the Cougars took the lead through tries from Ross Peltier, Ritchie Hawkyard, Vinny Finigan and James Feather, however, two sloppy tries gave London the victory.</p>

<p>York City Knights defeated the Newcastle Thunder 36-4 in front of a 3000 strong crowd in the north east. Tommy Saxton marked his debut with a brace of tries with Jonny Presley, Josh Tonks, Brett Turner, Tyler Craig and Ed Smith also crossing for the away side. </p>

<p><strong>TEAM NEWS:</strong></p>

<p>Cougars Head Coach Paul March is set to welcome Jode Sheriffe back after he missed the trip to the capital due to a minor operation. Paul White, Josh Lynam, John Oakes and Liam Darville are all set to return after being rested last weekend ahead of the final with Hamish Barnes now facing six weeks on the sidelines with his dislocated shoulder.</p>

<p>York City Knights could be set to hand a debut to Ross Divorty who joined the club this week following his release from Halifax with Fax loanee Tommy Saxton also cleared to play by his parent club. The Knights will be without Ryan Mallinder after the forward broke his leg in last Friday’s victory in Newcastle. </p>

<p><strong>KEY BATTLE:</strong></p>

<p>When these sides met back in March in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Fourth Round, the Knights crucified the Cougars down the flanks with full back Richard Wilkinson and his wingers punishing the Cougars at every opportunity. If they opt to use this tactic again in Blackpool then Ritchie Hawkyard and his wingers will need to match, if not, better them at every opportunity. </p>

<p><strong>THE COACHES:</strong></p>

<p>Keighley Cougars Head Coach Paul March: “It was disappointing how we played but credit to them, they took their opportunities, had a game plan and obviously it worked for them. For us it was about putting down a marker for Saturday, individually and as a team. I think some individuals let themselves down and ultimately that will cost them a place in the 17 for Saturday.</p>

<p>“What we need to do is look at what we did, and it’s all about reactions now. We can lay down and give a performance like we did on Saturday at London or we can react in a positive way and give a good account of ourselves against York.</p>

<p>“Looking at the squads, it’s going to be a difficult game between two well-matched sides. They certainly put a performance in on Friday after their disappointing game against Barrow the week before. They came out with a reaction and that’s what I’m hoping my boys will do this week.”</p>

<p>York City Knights Head Coach James Ford: “I think it’s pretty clichéd for coaches to say it’s just a another game but it’s not; it’s a final.</p>

<p>“The players have worked really hard to get there and they deserve the opportunity to compete for that trophy. We’re all excited, the players and the coaches, but when it comes to game day we’ll just focus on the little things in our performance that has seen us be pretty successful thus far.</p>

<p>“Keighley have got some good players and their pride will be dented after last week’s defeat. We shouldn’t take too much away from London Skolars, they are a good team, and they’ve got some good players. Every side that goes there will have their hands full. They tested us at our place and I’m thankful we didn’t have to play them away.</p>

<p>“Keighley will want to respond this week and if they beat us, then last week’s performance against London will be forgotten.”</p>

<p><strong>THE REFEREE:</strong></p>

<p>The referee the iPro Sport Cup Final in Blackpool this Saturday is Scott Mikalauskas from Leigh. This will be the referee’s fourth Cougars game off the season to date with his late coming at the beginning of May when the Cougars recorded a 16-36 victory over the Coventry Bears at the Ricoh Arena in Kingstone Press League One. </p>

<p><strong>PREDICTION:</strong></p>

<p>The Cougars were left stunned by the defeat in London whilst York shrugged of a big crowd to ease past Newcastle the night previous. This would indicate that the Knights should be the favourites for this one, however, the Cougars have more of the big game experience and will look to bounce back from the defeat in London to put to bed the ghost of two final defeats in 2015. It’ll be a close on though, that’s for sure. – <strong>KEIGHLEY BY 4.</strong></p>

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