Keighley Cougars got their 2008 league campaign off to a cracking start with two good wins over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

They kicked off the season with a 26-0 victory at Hunslet Hawks on Good Friday in what head coach Barry Eaton described as the Cougars' best performance since he has been at the club.

He said: "The players deserve a pat on the back for the intensity of their performance on the night."

However the Cougars lacked that same intensity for the first 20 minutes of their Bank Holiday Monday night game against Swinton Lions, after which they found themselves 12-0 down. But the Keighley defence solidified and their attacking game kicked into gear as they went on to beat the Lions 21-12 in their home opener at Cougar Park.

Eaton said: "It was really tough on Monday. We didn't have that same intensity, but you could put that down to turning around after playing only three days before.

"It was a real credit to the guys. They stuck to the task and for the last hour were dominant."

The Cougars have now won three games on the trot, including their Nor-thern Rail Cup win against Workington Town, another feat that has not been achieved in Eaton's time at the club.

The Cougars have their eyes firmly fixed on winning their third league game in a row when they travel to Blackpool who haven't won in 45 games.

Eaton said: "It's been a good start to the season but we're fully focused on Sunday. We're preparing for a tough game. Blackpool will be fighting for their first victory in a couple of seasons. We have to make sure it doesn't happen on Sunday."

Blackpool have a new coach, Martin Crompton, who was an assistant at Widnes when Eaton was there as a player.

They also have three new signings in Casey Mayberry, Damien Munro and Aussie Matt Ashe, who Eaton said have improved the National League Two strugglers.

The Cougars will still be missing players injured at Hunslet but look to set to name an unchanged side after Monday's game against Swinton.

Chris Redfearn will be out for three to four weeks after suffering a medial ligament knee injury on Friday. Greg Nicholson filled in nicely for him on Monday and looks set to retain his place on Sunday.

John Presley played with a shoulder injury on Friday and had to come off, but he was replaced by Danny Jones who played on his return from an injury.

Eaton also suffered a hamstring injury on Friday and was replaced by Craig Fawcett on Monday. Fawcett played well and looks set to retain his place this weekend.