Feather focused on Rochdale clash

Keighley Cougars captain James Feather is confident his side can reach the Co-operative Championship One Play-off Final by beating Rochdale Hornets in Sunday’s Final Eliminator at Cougar Park (3.00pm).

Feather was extremely disappointed following Keighley’s 10-19 defeat to Workington Town in a Qualifying Semi-Final last Sunday which saw the Cumbrians claim their place in the final and he is all too aware that the Cougars need to keep focused on the task in hand.

“We are very disappointed to have lost against Workington,” said Feather. “We let the occasion get to us on the day. It’s going to be a tough week of training, but we need to learn from Sunday’s result and move on and look ahead to the Rochdale game.

“Rochdale are a good side, we’ve played them a few times this season and came out on top twice. If we do our homework and train well this week then I am confident we will get the result.”

Keighley know exactly what it takes to realise their ambitions, having won the Co-operative Championship One Grand Final in 2009 when they beat Oldham in a tense game that ended 28-26 and Feather is hoping the memories from that day will spur his team on.

“I’ve been reminding the lads who were here two years ago and telling the new ones how good it felt when we won the Championship One Grand Final in 2009,” he said. “Experiences like that stay with you and drive and motivate you even more.

“We’ve been boosted by Jason Demetriou coming in and bringing lots of new ideas this season from his experience within the game. I’m already looking forward to next season and hopefully it will be in the Championship.”