Cougars Head Coach Barry Eaton is delighted with the fact that his Keighley side are sitting on top of the Northern Rail Cup Pool One table but believes that next Sunday’s final qualifying group game at Barrow Raiders could be a decisive moment for his team.

“It’s good to be out in front even for a moment,” said Barry. “Our win against Hunslet Hawks was very welcome particularly after the disappointment of losing at Blackpool the previous week.

“What we’re looking for now is some consistency and next Sunday’s trip to play Barrow Raiders in our final qualifying game is going to provide us with a real test of character.

“The Raiders were promoted to the Championship at the end of last season and they’ve signed some useful players during the close season.

“Dave Clark has proved himself to be a coach who sets up well drilled teams and it’s going to be a major challenge to my side.”

Eaton has assessed the situation at the top end of Pool One where there are six clubs chasing the four qualification spots. It could all hang on the Widnes v Barrow game in ten days time but I’d like to be in a position where we had guaranteed a place in the Quarter Finals before the Pool finishing places are finally decided”.

Cougars went into their 44-6 win over Hunslet without two of their biggest names, prop Andy Shickell, who suffered a knee injury at his job as a cable fitter, and loose forward Carl Hughes, who is still in rehabilitation after his knee ligament injury.

They also played without one of their other signings prop forward Craig Brown who had work commitments and Australian forward Brendon Rawlins, who is back Down Under completing his work permit application.

Added Eaton: “We’re waiting to see what the damage Andy Shickell has done to his knee and then we can make a judgement.

“Craig Brown is expected to be available again this weekend which is helpful but we don’t expect to see Carl Hughes until we play Oldham on March 22 and we don’t have any definite idea when Brendon is going to be playing for us again yet”.