Keighley win Rawlins fight

Keighley’s Brendon Rawlins has won the fight for his work permit, four months after his inital application had been submitted.

The prop had initally been refused entry after applying through sponsorship for his work permit, but that decision was reversed after an appeal to the Rugby Football League.

Coach Barry Eaton had almost given up hope on Rawlins joining the club, but is now pleased that the forward is able to create more competition for his squad.

“Having Brendon back in the first-team squad will step up the competition for places and, as I’ve said before, that’s no bad thing as far as any professional Rugby League club is concerned,” said Eaton.

“Brendon will be coming back to us at the business end of the season when we are trying to secure a place in the Co-operative Championship One play-offs but, first he will have to prove his general fitness standards are up to scratch before we can draft him into the side”.

Helen Carter, the Keighley Cougars General Manager, added: “It has been a tortuous process which has been difficult for both the club and Brendon, and we’re still not quite sure why it has taken so long for the application to be completed.

“We’re grateful for the High Commission in Canberra for assisting us in freeing the log jam and look forward to Brendon returning to Cougar Park.”