A RE-BRANDING to Keighley Cougars Ladies caps off a fairytale and hugely successful 2019 for the former Keighley Albion Ladies.

Throughout their dominant League One season, which saw them finish top of the regular season, Albion were forced to play without the maximum numbers required for a matchday squad. However, the team, featuring a mixture of mothers and teengers, found a way to win 11 of their 15 league clashes.

Playing at Crossflatts Cricket Club, they did not just confine their success to their league campaign.

They also enjoyed a fairytale, and headline-grabbing run, reaching the Coral Women's Challenge Cup quarter-final, only losing to Wakefield Trinity - two divisions up from them in the Super League.

Albin Ladies were the lowest-ranked side left in the prestigious competition after they secured a 50-9 second round victory over Halifax in May.

This triumph followed more early-season success in April when they claimed the Women's Rugby League Association Plate when they defeated East Leeds Ladies 52-14.

But it would be their success in last month's League One play-off final in Manchester that was arguably their most important achievement.

It proved to be a great day for the ladies in red as they stormed to a 54-12 victory over Cutsyke Raidettes.

Champagne corks popping, te ladies are still celebrating now as they move into their next chapter in 2020.

Making the step up in divisions to the Championship and associating themselves with the Cougars can only mean any exciting future lies ahead for Sarah Lancaster's side.

Super League in 2021? With momentum on their side, you wouldn't bet against Keighley Cougars Ladies making it to the top flight.