Keighley Sport
Demetriou still confident that Cougars can progress
8:55pm Sunday 19th February 2012
Toulouse 24, Keighley Cougars 24
Jason Demetriou remains confident of progression in the Northern Rail Cup after the Cougars shared the spoils with Toulouse in a thrilling draw last night.
Cougars had lost their opening match in the competition in a home defeat to Batley six days earlier, but they led 22-12 with 20 minutes remaining only for the French outfit to draw level in a classic encounter.
Keighley had flown from Liverpool on Friday morning, with several of their players having taken days off work to make the trip.
Player-coach Demetriou said: “We probably struggled a bit in the first half after the travel and some problems with our preparation.
“But we started to play with a lot more enthusiasm in the second half and our attitude was a lot better.
“The other results have gone for us this weekend and, with two wins in the next two games, we can reach the knockout stages.”
Cougars fell behind when Nathan Ross touched down for Toulouse and Damien Couturier added the extras.
Yet Cougars gradually steadied themselves and replied in the 20th minute when hooker James Feather went over and Danny Lawton landed the goal to tie the scores.
The hosts regained the lead when Mourad Kriouache went over and Couturier again proved reliable with the boot.
That left Toulouse 12-6 ahead at the break but Cougars fashioned an impressive response to hit back again six minutes after the restart when Demetriou claimed a try which Lawton converted.
Lawton booted a penalty to put the Cougars 14-12 ahead, and in the 55th minute Paul March crashed over the line and Lawton added the extras.
On the hour mark, Lawton went over himself in the corner but could not convert, leaving Cougars 22-12 ahead.
Toulouse refused to lie down and hit back with 15 minutes remaining when Adam Innes raced over the line and Couturier kicked the conversion.
Another penalty from Lawton gave Cougars a little breathing space but Toulouse scored again in the 77th minute when Innes scored again and Jerome Gout’s conversion levelled things up.