Storm Clouds Roll In – Newcastle Preview

[Cougars News]

Keighley Cougars v Newcastle Thunder Match Preview by Joshua Chapman (@JRCSport)

Date: Sunday 26^th July

Time: 3.00pm

Venue: Cougar Park, Keighley

After a disappointing fourth defeat of 2015 to Swinton last time out, the Cougars will be looking to bounce back against Newcastle Thunder.

Last Time Out

The Cougars slumped to a 14-22 defeat to Swinton in a disappointing game of Rugby League.

Even though the referee was the main talking point, tries from Scott Lee, David March and Paul White weren’t enough as the Lions picked up the two points,

Newcastle Thunder had an even more disappointing afternoon in North Yorkshire as they were thrashed 40-8 by York at Heworth.

Dayne Craig and Macauley Hallett’s efforts proved nothing more but consolations for Newcastle as they were dismantled by League One’s in-form team.

Team News

With Scott Lee joining the long term injury list last Sunday, he will definitely miss out as will Jesse Sheriffe who is away on his honeymoon. Josh Lynam returns to the side with new loan signing Josh Gudzek expected to feature.

Key Battle

The Cougars front row will have to be up for this one if they are to defeat the Newcastle Thunder for a third time this season.

With PNG star Mark Mexico leading the line, Scott Law will have to be Judge, Jury and Executioner to help Keighley win the battle down the middle.

Newcastle are expected to hand a debut to Stewart Sanderson who joined from Doncaster on Friday. Sonny Esslemont, Macauley Hallett and Matthew Marsh could all feature on dual registration from Hull Kingston Rovers.

What The Coaches Say

Keighley Cougars Player-Coach Paul March: “I thought defensively we switched off at crucial times and offensively it was probably the worst game we’ve played with ball in hand. We need to fix that up going into this week’s game, which is another tough one.

“The hurdles that we’re jumping over are getting a bit bigger with the amount of injuries we’re picking up. In the last two weeks we’ve lost Ash Lindsay with a broken leg, Paul Handforth with a torn calf and Scott Lee broke his arm at the weekend. That’s in addition to the loss of Sean Kelly, Jode Sheriffe and obviously Danny Jones as well. But if we stick together and keep jumping these hurdles it will make it a bit sweeter once we hopefully achieve our goal.”

Newcastle Thunder Head Coach Stanley Gene: “I was very unhappy,” he said. “We’ve taken some beatings throughout the season but that was one I couldn’t take. York on the day played really well.

“Keighley also lost and they are a good team who will be looking to be getting back to winning ways. We’re soul searching and want to get back on a winning track so it will be a very interesting game.”

Prediction

On the previous two previous occasions the Cougars have lost this season, they’ve bounced back with a bang against Oldham and Oxford, and after a thrashing on the road last time out, Keighley should have enough to see off the Thunder – Cougars by 14.

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