Raiders finally get first point of the season

BARROW finally got their first point of the season following four successive defeats.

In what was a dour affair with neither team dominant, but both coaches will have been relieved to share the spoils.

Barrow took the game to the team from the North East and had two early opportunities to put points on the board.

Debutant Luke Broadbent joined the attack which swept across field, but his long pass to Shane Toal was too strong and high and the ball went into touch with the line open.

Barrow Raiders v Newcastle Thunder in the Betfred Championship, 5th March 2023

Broadbent was then involved in a second raid and with Andrew Bullman on the outside with room to spare the young full back chose to go himself and was held short.

However, he had a fine all round game never putting a foot wrong and denied Thunder a last gasp attempt to win the game when he forced two players to lose possession with the line open.

Barrow Raiders v Newcastle Thunder in the Betfred Championship, 5th March 2023

It was a case of both teams desperate for a win to get away from the foot of the table in what was a scrappy 80 minutes. Both teams were guilty of errors with Barrow at times trying too hard to put points on the board, a little more patience could have been more profitable.

Thunder had a glorious opportunity to open their account when a big gap opened up only for Nicholas Staveley to kick ahead instead of breaking through, and Broadbent was on hand to gather.

Barrow Raiders v Newcastle Thunder in the Betfred Championship, 5th March 2023

Barrow were first to register points when after Jack Wells drove to the line, Jarrod Sammut switched play to send Jarrad Stack over from close range, Ryan Shaw added the conversion 6-0. And when Thunder lost the ball ten yards from their own line, Sammuts threw a long ball directly into touch from the scrum, missing out Bullman.

Then Thunder struck twice within four minutes. The ball moved along the line on the last tackle and Alex Foster went in at the corner, Nikau Williams converting 6-6. Then, Bullman and Worthington were caught daydreaming as Alex Young stabbed the ball towards the corner, gifting Marcus Walker an easy run in,Williams failed to convert 6-10 at the break.

Barrow Raiders v Newcastle Thunder in the Betfred Championship, 5th March 2023

Barrow got off the mark in the first minute of the second half when Jake Carter spun out of a tackle to dot the ball down for Shaw to convert 12-10. However, Barrow failed to progress as Staveley burst through to send Williams in for a soft try which he converted 12-16.

It was desperate rugby and with Shane Toal working hard with ball in hand Barrow regained the lead after Ben Evans had the ball stolen in the tackle. This resulted in Sammuts short ball enabling Stack to score, Shaw adding the goal, to edge home team ahead at 18-16.

Barrow Raiders v Newcastle Thunder in the Betfred Championship, 5th March 2023

Robert Tuliatu was held up for Thunder prior to Barrow conceding a penalty to which Williams added the goal 18-18.

In a last ditch attempt for victory, Bullman raced down the wing but as he dived for the line he was bundled into touch.

Barrow: Broadbent, Bullman, Worthington, Shaw Toal, Sammut, Johnston, Brooks, Borough, Iaria, Hopkins, Stack, Wells.

Subs used: J Carter, Gillam, Evans, Burke.

Mail Man of the match: Luke Broadbent.

Attendance: 1,752.