DEAN Muir had reason to be pleased after a much-improved performance from his Cougars Reserves side saw them lose 42-30 at home to Featherstone.

He said: “For 90 per cent of the game I thought we were competitive and made sure Featherstone knew they were in a game.

“The lads were far improved from the Leigh defeat and the pack responded well.”

Cougars broke the deadlock when the returning Ben Stead burrowed his way over the line.

Keighley then conceded six tries without reply, Sam Day grabbing a hat-trick as well as a brace coming from Ryan Verlinden and a solo effort from Adam Swift.

Cougars showed character to get back into the encounter, with James Morton and Aaron Nicholson both scoring.

Fev's Tommy Newbould grabbed a brace either side of tries from Ross Peltier and Jordan Aitchison for the hosts.

COUGARS: Moorby, Hunt, Dunne, Casey, Taylor, Aitchison, Seeley, Watson, Stead, Courtney, Nicholson, Clayton, Whippy. Subs: Brier, Goodall, Morton, Peltier.