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Bobbie's boys face test at high-flyers

10/ 5/2008

HORNETS will need to be on their mettle if they are to return from Cougar Park tomorrow with the spoils.

Bobbie Goulding will be looking for a vast improvement on displays against Oldham and Hunslet in the Spotland outfit’s two previous encounters.

High-flying Keighley, who have lost only once in six games in National League Two, and lie second in the table behind Doncaster, will be in confident mood and extremely difficult to beat on home turf.

Cougars astute coach Barry Eaton blooded many of his younger players last season and this now seems to be paying dividends.

Gavin Duffy, James Feather and the outstanding Richard Knight will be to the fore, while fans’ favourite Brendan Rawlins, a powerful prop, scored four tries against London Skolars in last weekend's 58-12 win over London Skolars and will need some stopping.

Hornets were badly out of sorts against Hunslet Hawks on Sunday, handing them their first league win of the season on a plate.

What was most worrying was the lack of enthusiasm shown by the players – not something you expect from a team coached by Goulding.

Hornets will need to rekindle the superb defensive skills they showed against Oldham and Hull FC, and rediscover the attacking flair from earlier in the season.

Most importantly they must get the basics right, hold on to the ball, support each other and complete their sets on the back of a good kick and chase.

Missed tackles and dropped balls early in the tackle amount to a recipe for disaster and the Cougars will be waiting to pounce if Hornets fall below the standards expected of them. Kick-off is at 3pm.