Match Report | Keighley Cougars 22-26 Sheffield Eagles | Pre-Season Friendly

21/12/2025

The Eagles began their 2026 pre-season campaign with a hard-fought 26–22 victory over Keighley Cougars on Saturday afternoon in West Yorkshire.

Head Coach Craig Lingard handed appearances to nine off-season recruits, giving him an early opportunity to assess his reshaped squad in their first competitive outing of the new season. Trialists Jamie Cooke and Harley Saunders were also included among the interchange bench. 

Despite difficult conditions, Sheffield made a fast start and opened the scoring inside five minutes. Joe Brown crossed in the right corner after a well-executed scrum move, capitalising on a Keighley error.

The Eagles struck again shortly afterwards as Jordan Lilley’s early kick caused problems for the home defence, allowing Kai Morgan to touch down and extend the lead to 10–0 after just eight minutes.

Keighley responded positively and drew level just before the 20-minute mark with quick-fire tries from Connor Saynor and David Foggin-Johnston.

The contest then settled into a more even rhythm, but it was Sheffield who regained the advantage three minutes before the interval. A neat exchange between Lilley and Connor Bower created space for Kieran Gill, who finished confidently to the right of the posts, sending the Eagles into the break with a 16–10 lead.

Sheffield added to their advantage fourteen minutes into the second half, once again exploiting a scrum opportunity as Billy Walkley crossed in the left corner against his former club.

The Cougars refused to fade in the game and reduced the deficit through winger Brad Holroyd with just over fifteen minutes remaining.

However, the Eagles responded at a crucial moment. With five minutes left on the clock, Conor Fitzsimmons powered over from close range to restore a ten-point cushion at 26–16.

Keighley grabbed a late consolation try through veteran hooker George Flanagan three minutes from time, but it proved too little, too late as Sheffield held on to secure the win.

The squad will now enjoy a short break over the Christmas and New Year period before returning to action on Sunday 11th January, when the Eagles travel to face Batley Bulldogs in their second pre-season friendly (2pm kick-off).

Keighley Cougars: Saynor, Holroyd, Nuu, Clare, Foggin-Johnston, Farrell, Beharrell, Teanby, Burton, Aliyu, Dean, Lanskey, Ioane

Interchanges (all used): Flanagan, Brown, Schofield, Skerret-Evans, Matahwa, Whitford, Parker, McCardle, Proud, Pickersgill

Tries: Saynor (13’), Foggin-Johnston (18’), Holroyd (63’), Flanagan (77’)

Goals: Farrell (2/3), Flanagan (1/1)

Sheffield Eagles: Brown, Billy, Gill, Hodson, Walkley, Morgan, Lilley, Fitzsimmons, Johnson, Reilly, Bower, Farrell, Bussey

Interchanges (all used): Butterworth, Griffin, Broadbent, Bowes, Ellis, Matongo, Peachey, Cooke, Saunders

Tries: Brown (5’), Morgan (8’), Gill (37’), Walkley (54’), Fitzsimmons (68’)