Barrow 44
Dewsbury Rams 28

Barrow stayed on track in their quest to finish fourth in the table and earn a home tie in the play-offs, but this victory was no walk in the park.

Needing two points against the Rams and two points from the final game at London Broncos next week - providing Batley lose at leaders Leigh - Barrow were taken to the wire.

In fact, it could have been a different story if the relegated Rams hadn't lost skipper Paul Sykes on 25 minutes- dismissed for a high tackle on Jarrad Stack.

The 41-year-old veteran was pulling the strings as his team shot into a 14-4 lead as they stunned the home side who looked out of sorts.

The 12 men fought bravely as Barrow got the upper-hand but, with nine minutes remaining, it was game on as the Rams were only ten points adrift and looking dangerous.

However hat-trick man Hakim Miloudi put the game to bed on 76 minutes with a converted try.

Despite scoring eight classy tries the Raiders were their own worst enemy in most of their general play, throwing out silly passes and not always being alert.

It was off to a bad start for Barrow with Josh Wood sin binned after only three minutes with a foul tackle on James Beckett.

Within two minutes the Rams were ahead, half-back Calum Turner chipped through the cover and Sykes pounced to score and convert 0-6.
Shane Toal did cross but he put a foot in touch on his way to the line. On 16 minutes the score board double with slack marking allowing Connor Davies to go in at the corner for Sykes to convert.

And it was Sykes who made it 0-14 with a penalty goal. Barrow finally got on the board when swift play saw Miloudi in at the corner for an unconverted try 4-14.

Sykes was then dismissed as Barrow hit back with a fine try from Sammut who weaved through the cover to spin around to dot the ball down, Shaw adding the goal 10-14.

However slack marking once more proved costly with Oliver Greensmith going over for Turner to land a touchline goal 10-20.

With four minutes left on the clock, Miloudi foxed the Rams defenders to cross for a fine try goaled by Shaw 16-20.

On the stroke of half-time, Turner slotted over a penalty goal 16-22.

Three minutes into the second half a sweeping attack acrossfield saw Toal dive in at the corner 20-22.

Five minutes later the lead was in the hands of Barrow for the first time. Miloudi released Ritson who raced clear before parting inside for Toal to gallop over, Shaw tagging on the goal 26-22.

Barrow stepped up a gear as Miloudi sent Ritson in the clear parting to Creswell, and Stack was touching down for Shaw to land a touchline goal 32-22.

Then a Ritson special, and his 31st try of the season, the winger took on the Rams defence weaving in and out before putting his foot on the pedal to go in from 65-metres, Shaw adding the goal 38-28.

The Rams refused to lie down as they put the pressure on - only for Miloudi to end their hopes with a great try from 30-metres out, Shaw closing the scoring with the goal.

Barrow: Creswell, Ritson, Miloudi, Shaw, S Toal, Sammut, Johnston, Gillam, Wood, Iaria, Stack, Langtree, J Carter. Subs: Mossop, Brooks, Hopkins, Crellin.

Mail Man of the match: Tee Ritson

Attendance: 2,370