COUGARS chairman Gary Fawcett has hailed the recent friendly against Wales a resounding success.

John Kear’s stars played for free and ran out 36-20 winners, having led 20-8 at half-time and more than 1,000 fans attended the benefit match held for the family of the late Danny Jones.

Fawcett said: “It was an unprecedented day in the history of rugby league and sport as a whole with a full international side playing against a League 1 team.

“There were many special points during the day and some, in particular, stood out for me.

“Cononley Singers absolutely nailed the Welsh National Anthem, Land of my Fathers.

“They sang it in Welsh just before kick-off and there were quite a few tears as they sang to the final crescendo. It showed what hidden talent there is in Keighley!”

A number of Keighley’s promising youngsters shone during the game and Fawcett proudly reflected: “Wales came to Cougar Park expecting to tot up a significant score but, interestingly, our new-look side stood up and gave them a proper game.

“There were excellent performances all around the field which demonstrates that the future looks bright at Cougar Park.

“None of these players were receiving payment for this game and the Welsh players and management in particular must be commended for their selfless act of giving up their weekend on behalf of the Danny Jones fund.

“Danny’s family attended to bring the curtain down on fund raising proceedings on what has been a very sad year for our club. Danny’s family have been strong throughout a period which can only have been devastating for them.

“And I can only say that Lizzie Jones, in the midst of her grief, has been awesome, with her Challenge Cup performance surely instructive to us all that out of the worst of tragedies good things must come.”

“For the players and fans that attended the Wales games – well done and you should be very proud of yourselves.”