Barnett targets top six with Keighley

Keighly Cougars winger Richie Barnett is hoping that his team can stay focused and claim a top six spot in the Championship this season.

The former Warrington winger enjoyed a fine game at another of his former clubs, Sheffield Eagles, on Sunday. Cougars won the game 29-16, and Barnett looked solid under the high ball and in the tackle, as well as making some telling breaks and taking an intercept.

“Yeah, especially with this heat,” he told Love Rugby League, when asked whether he was pleased with the win.

“All we’d concentrated on was completing our sets and things would come from that. Everyone’s tried to keep it squeeky clean and push forward, and we’ve come up with the spoils, so everyone’s happy.

“Our target is top six. We’ve been doing quite well, we won six on the bounce, but then we had a poor spell.

“Hopefully this will kickstart our season again, and we can keep picking up some wins.”

Barnett believes having to battle hard for places in the matchday 17 is improving performance standards at the Cougars.

“There’s a lot of competition in the team,” he said.

“Everyone’s fit and ready to come back, so the coach told us that the pressure is on for places.

“I just try to play as well as I can to keep my place in the team. That’s what everyone is doing, vying for their positions.

“I still know a lot of the boys who play at Sheffield, they’re good friends. So it’s always good to put one over on your mates.

“Mark Aston is someone I know gets angry quite easily, so I feel sorry for their boys.”