Rugby League: Cougars and Larder to go separate ways

Keighley are parting ways with their England and Great Britain coach, Phil Larder, who claims the Cougars cannot afford to hold on to him. Larder will be released when his contract runs out at the end of this season.

The move comes just weeks after millionaire businessman Carl Metcalfe bought the club and promised to plough funds into improving the facilities at Cougar Park.

Under Larder, Keighley finished as Second Division champions and winners of the divisional premiership in 1994-95. They were runners-up in last season's Second Division and are on target to finish as runners-up in the First Division championship.

Larder followed Ellery Hanley as the national team coach. He led England to the Super League European Championship in June and is due to head Great Britain's end-of-season tour to Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Fiji.

Following an investigation into last Saturday's Super League match between Warrington and Bradford a report is to be forwarded to the League's chief executive, Maurice Lindsay.

The investigation followed two brawls and damage to a pitchside camera estimated at pounds 100,000. The cameraman was taken to hospital for checks and there was criticism of the referee, Stuart Cummings, after the match by the Warrington coach, John Dorahy.