Cougars defeat

By Dave Farrell
Date: 9/5/2001

Keighley 4- 30 Whitehaven
THE pack were as strong as ever. The Widnes result was a sad slip...so close! (Marra adds:" Cast your minds back a year and think what a difference a good coach can make? As the team and coach push the name of Whitehaven when will we see more backing from big business in the town."

Tries: Purdham, Joe, Devlin and Kirkbride Conversions: Kirkbride
An injury hit Whitehaven chalked up a very handy win at Cougar park and moved into 9th postion in the league and nearer to the play-offs.
Injuries are something we are learning to live with but after Sunday game resources were stretched to the limit. Lee Kiddie at full back, Ryan Campbell on the wing , Robert Purdham and Ian Devlin in the centre Phil Sherwn and Gary Smith exchanged places from Sunday.
Keighley's problems have been well covered in the media but that didnt stop them putting up a spirited and enthusiatic display .They dominated the early play and took the lead with an early try.The Cougars certainly looked up for it in the first quater but thereafter our forwards got on top and bossed matters to set up trys for Robert Purdham and Leroy Joe both converted by Steven Kirkbride added the extras to give us a 12-4 lead at the half.
Another strong showing from the inexperienced Cougars kept us on the back foot for the early part of the second half, but Robert Purhams second try with less than 20 minutes remaining signalled the limit of Keighleys enterprise.Haven coasted to a useful victory with further trys from Steven Kirkbride and Ian Devlin . Three second half goals from Steven Kirkbride completed the scoring as we ran out comfortable winners by 30 pts to 4.
The pack laid the foundations for this win with Aaron again in good form closely followed by Garry Purdham.
A welcome rest this weekend , allowing Paul Cullens squad to regroup and get some much needed rest and re-cuperation.Next game is on May 20 by then some of the walking wounded will be back in action for another crucial fixture when we visit Leigh.