BARROW RAIDERS 32, SWINTON LIONS 14

Barrow finally got the monkey off their backs to go through to round four of the Challenge Cup.

Following four league defeats on the trot before gaining a point in the drawn game with Newcastle, this was a game the Raiders had to win to kick start their season. However it was an anxious opening 15 minutes as the Lions were roaring into a 10-0 lead, but the roar soon disappeared as the home side rattled up 32 unanswered points prior to a late Baker try ending the scoring.

Barrow were unsettled in those opening minutes and soon went into arrears after they gave away a penalty inside their own half for a high tackle.The Lions went downfield and swift play across field saw Rhodri Lloyd shrug off three would-be tacklers to score in the corner for an unconverted try 0-4.

Man of the match Luke Broadbent then came to the rescue as further raids from the visitors saw Liam Cooper race for the line only for a textbook tackle from the young full back to haul him down.

And when Barrow were on attack, Jarrod Sammut tried to force a pass and the Lions took advantage to head towards the home line. Kenny Baker tore through a huge gap and looked destined to score but Broadbent – ably assisted by Shane Toal – saved the day with a try-saving tackle.

However a crossfield kick allowed Lloyd to rise high and dot the ball down, Dan Abram adding the goal, 0-10.

Was it to be another defeat on the horizon or would Barrow get their act together? It was the latter as they then took control. The Lions were caught offside at a play the ball and Barrow mounted a raid.

Greg Worthington took play to the line from where Ryan Johnston and Sammut paved the way for Danny Langtree to prise open a gap to score, Shaw adding the goal 6-10.

A further penalty to Barrow set up an attack through Sammut, Broadbent and Worthington for Shaw to touch down and convert 12-10 and Barrow were up and running.

A forward pass ruled out a Jayden Hatton would-be try for the Lions with Shaw slotting over a penalty goal on the stroke of half-time, 14-10.

Barrow, with more determination in their play in the second half, were well led by stand-in skipper Sammut and a set of forwards taking control put the game out of the reach of the Lions in a four-minute spell.

A neat ball from Ben Evans sent Johnston over then Sammut and Langtree sent Evans crashing over for his first try for the club, Shaw tagging on the goals 26-10.

Good defending by the home side prevented Louis Brogan crossing, while at the other end Greg Burke was the provider for Broadbent to spin out of a tackle to score, Shaw made it six from six with the conversion.

In the last minute Baker touched down outwide.

The fourth-round draw takes place at Millom RL ground on Wednesday live on the BBC. Barrow are the only Cumbrians left after Workington were narrowly beaten by 24-20 Doncaster, Whitehaven lost 32-10 away to London Broncos and Wath Brown Hornets fell to Batley Bulldogs 60-0.

Barrow: Broadbent, Toal, Corkill, Worthington, Shaw, Sammut, Johnston, Burke, Saunders, Iaria, Hopkins, Langtree, Wells. Subs used: J Carter, Evans, Gillam, Brooks.

Attendance 1,161.

Mail Man of the Match: Luke Broadbent.