Barrow 8
Batley Bulldogs 18

Barrow's impressive season reached a disappointing end as Raiders came out second best in the play-offs at Craven Park.

They came up against a Batley side who were at near full strength and came to town on the back of a 64-6 thrashing at Leigh last week.

Barrow were under strength without key forwards Carl Forster, Dan Toal, Danny Langtree, newlywed Danny Morrow and skipper Jarrad Stack, who was on police duty in London.

Barrow never really got going and it was substitute Alistair Leak who ended their hopes with two well-taken tries, supporting the man with the ball.

Both sides found it difficult in the first half to take a firm grip of the game.

The Bulldogs had the most pressure in the opening stages but the home defence stood firm before a first real attack saw Charlie Emslie make a 35-yard break only to fall to a fine tackle.

Batley continued to have the majority of attacking play but couldn't find a way through.

Barrow then were denied a length of the field try when Miloudi broke free to send Shane Toal racing downfield to cross the Batley line. However a knock on was ruled in back play.

Five minutes from the break Ryan Shaw had the opportunity to edge Barrow in front, but he pulled his 30 yard kick at goal wide.

Impressive substitute Sam Brooks then made good yards into the Batley half, who were then caught offside at a play the ball, Shaw making no mistake with his kick 2-0.

As the half time hooter was near, the visitors went ahead.

Shane Toal in trying to break down a Bulldogs attack near his own line knocked on.From the restart the ball moved right to left for Johny Campbell to cross in the corner,Tommy Gilmore adding the goal 2-6.

When Barrow were penalised for a high tackles minutes into the second half the Bulldogs swept upfield and Leak was in by the posts for Gilmore to convert 2-12.

It was going to be an uphill struggle for Barrow, although Ryan Johnston was held up over the line. Hopes were lifted on 64 minutes when a short ball from Sammut gave the home supporters something to cheer about as his neat ball sent Ellis Gillam through a gap to dot the ball down, Shaw tagged on the conversion 8-12.

Six minutes later, that man Leak was in for his second try with Gilmore adding the goal making it 8-18.

A great season ended in disappointment for a team out on their feet.

Barrow: Cresswell, Ritson, Miloudi, S Toa, Sammut, Johnston, Iaria, Wood, Gillam, Hopkins, Emslie, Crellin. Subs used: Mossop, J Carter,B Carter, Brooks.

Mail Man of the Match: Anton Iaria.

Attendance 3,590.