Eaton: Fixture list is not fair game (From Keighley News)

Eaton: Fixture list is not fair game

10:10am Thursday 25th June 2009

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Barry Eaton has questioned the fairness of the Championship One fixture set-up as Keighley Cougars prepare to face Hornets Rugby League for the first time this season.

In the first half of the campaign, Keighley didn’t play the Rochdale-based club, London Skolars or leaders Dewsbury at all yet completed home and away matches with three other rivals.

“It’s weird,” said coach Eaton, ahead of Sunday’s clash at Cougar Park, kick-off 3pm.

“We’d played York, Swinton and Black-pool twice already, yet another three teams not at all.

“It’s strange and I think we’re going to get the worst end of the stick.

“Rochdale were probably a little bit behind at the start of the year because of their administration problems.

“They might have had new players who hadn’t done pre-season with them but now they have strengthened with signings from Workington and Widnes.

“Some sides have also rattled up 60 and 70 points past London Skolars, who we face for the first time next week.

“Now though, they’ve got a deal with Harlequins where players who aren’t playing Super League can go and play with them.

“Potentially they’re going to be a lot stronger and so it doesn’t seem like a level playing field.

“You can’t help what’s happened at Rochdale but it is certainly a little bit frustrating seeing what has gone on with London.”

The Hornets lie bottom, having been deducted nine points for entering administration at the end of last season.

They knocked Cougars out of the play-offs in 2008 but have had to rebuild since under boss Darren Shaw and have just two wins so far.

Eaton is concentrating more on his own side as they look to kick-start after their loss at Dewsbury a fortnight ago dropped them down to fourth.

He could make changes with Greg Nicholson hoping to make a return after missing the last three matches with a slipped disc.

He trained fully on Tuesday and if he successfully comes through tonight’s session will be in the 17 at the weekend.

Eaton may also recall former Salford centre Daley Williams and has urged his side to cut out the “dumb” football that cost them so dearly at Rams.

“We’ve got to keep hold of the ball better and that, in turn, will allow us to defend better for the full set of six,” he said.

“We conceded six tries on the last tackle against Dewsbury but had eight scoring opportunities ourselves with only a 41 per cent completion.

“That doesn’t show we’re a bad side, just that we did some bad things on the night.”

The club have confirmed that prop Simon Bissell has gone on a month’s loan to Blackpool Panthers.

Meanwhile, the reserve team head to Barrow on Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm.

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