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<p>London Skolars 22-31 Keighley Cougars Match Report by Joshua Chapman (@JRCSport)</p>

<p>KEIGHLEY Cougars booked their place in the iPro Sport Cup Final with a hard fought victory over the London Skolars on an emotion filled occasion in the capital.</p>

<p>In their first visit to the New River Stadium since the death of Danny Jones at the same venue twelve months previous, the Cougars overcame their hosts in a thrilling end-to-end game.</p>

<p>The victory means the club can now look forward to a date with the York City Knights in Blackpool later this month.</p>

<p>Head Coach Paul March said: “We came down here today just looking to get the win and book our place at Bloomfield Road but I thought the lads handled today and what it was all about extremely well and I’m one proud coach.</p>

<p>“Liam Darville came into the side to partner up with Adam Brook as Paul Handforth was away with work commitments and showed some good touches during the game but for me the forwards were absolutely immense.</p>

<p>“The lads prepared well for today and did not just them, but me and Jonesy proud too, and can hold their heads up high with it being a difficult time for everybody and come up the other side, it wasn’t the prettiest of wins but in cup football you just need to make sure you get the win.”</p>

<p>Prior to the game, both sides observed a minute’s silence with a wreath of flowers and a plaque to mark the first anniversary of Jones’ passing being presented and laid at the spot on the field where the Wales international tragically lost his life.</p>

<p>March’s side got off to the best start possible after six minutes when Hamish Barnes showed great footwork to squeeze over the line despite the interest of four London defenders.</p>

<p>The two teams were determined to put on a show fitting of Danny Jones and the Skolars got on the board when John Paxton dived in the corner when Barnes couldn’t cover in time to make the tackle.</p>

<p>Cougars then extended their lead when fittingly, Scott Law, the best friend of the late Danny Jones, powered his way over from close range on the back of consecutive penalties.</p>

<p>However, Aaron Small raced over from thirty metres to make sure there was just a two point margin heading into the interval.</p>

<p>March’s men got the second forty off to the best possible start when just sixty seconds after the restart, a flowing passing move left space in the Skolars defensive line from which Darren Hawkyard raced through to touch down next to the posts.</p>

<p>The home side wouldn’t go down without a fight and continued to push Keighley all the way in the glorious sunshine with hooker Ben Pointer squeezing over from dummy half.</p>

<p>The reply was instant by the Cougars as Ritchie Hawkyard turned his way through three attempted tackles to touch down.</p>

<p>But London got back within two points once more when Mike Bishay’s cross-field kick was picked out of the air by Small as he out jumped Adam Brook to collect the ball and score to set up a tense finish heading into the match’s final ten minutes.</p>

<p>Brook would make amends though as just two minutes later, his superb no-look kick to his right was taken by Ritchie Hawkyard as the full-back dived under the posts for his second and to finally see off the resilient southern outfit.</p>

<p>Brook made sure of the result with 90 seconds left on the clock when on the last tackle the stand-off slotted a Danny Jones style drop goal over from ten metres to end any hope of a late comeback from the home side.</p>

<p>The game would end on a sour note as Ritchie Hawkyard and Erjon Dollapi were both sin-binned with second remaining after a bust-up on the halfway line which also brought the end of the game for referee Tom Grant, who was heavily criticised for his performance.</p>

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