Despite the coronavirus pandemic otherwise devastating the sporting schedule, the rugby league weekend continued as normal and there were plenty of players with Furness connections in action.

Six points from the boot of former Barrow Raider Chris Hankinson couldn’t prevent Super League leaders Wigan Warriors from going down to a 18-14 loss against Salford Red Devils, who produced a magnificent comeback.

Wigan, who had another ex-Raider in Joe Bullock amongst the interchanges, led 14-2 at half-time at the AJ Bell Stadium thanks to tries from Jackson Hastings and Sam Powell, which were both converted by Hankinson, who also added a penalty,

However, Niall Evalds scored twice in the second half, the second following a 90-metre run, to haul Salford level and last season’s runners-up snatched a memorable victory when a superb break from Rhys Williams laid the platform for Kevin Brown to dive over.

Former Barrow Island forward Morgan Knowles started in the back row as champions St Helens were defeated 28-14 at Castleford Tigers, who moved level on points with Wigan at the top of the table.

Derrell Olpherts (2) and Peter Mata-utia both scored to put the Tigers, for whom Askam’s Jacques O’Neill was not involved, 14-0 up before Tommy Makinson got Saints on the board.

But tries from Chase Blair and Jake Trueman prevented the visitors from coming back, despite effort from Jack Welsby and Luke Thompson.

In the fifth round of the Coral Challenge Cup, Barrovian Ryan Shaw helped give his old club a fright, as Betfred Championship side Leigh Centurions were narrowly defeated 22-19 at Hull Kingston Rovers, of the top flight.

Tries from Kane Linnett, Shaun Kenny-Dowall and William Dagger put Leigh within sight of a famous victory, but their hearts were broken at the end as Nick Rawsthorne crossed with seven seconds to spare to spare the Robins’ blushes.

Barrow Island old boy Blain Marwood was on the scoresheet for Workington Town, but they bowed out after being defeated 34-18 at Sheffield Eagles.

Former Raiders Luke Spedding and Deon Cross both scored tries as Widnes Vikings eased past Swinton Lions 32-16.