BARROW RAIDERS 25

FEATHERSTONE ROVERS 12

THE Barrow players received a standing ovation following their magnificent victory over Rovers with all 17 players making their mark on the game.

However, it was anyone's game as the clock ticked the hour mark, when Barrow stunned Rovers with a 12-point blast Inside a four-minute spell with the scores locked at 12-12.

Rovers were rattled as Barrow hit them with good play in attack, while in defence every man was outstanding as they stood their ground and were not going to leak further points.

Barrow turned on the style before over 100 ex-players who had played for the club over several decades including many who took part in the 1983-84 season when the Lancashire Cup came to the South Lakes.

Also in attendance was 85-year-old Tommy Smales, an ex Barrow player who shone for Rovers in their 17-12 Cup final win at the old Wembley stadium in 1967.

Former Wigan full-back Colin Tyrer also made the journey. Tyrer captained Barrow in 1976 season when they won the Second Division title.

It was the visitors who looked the sharper team in the opening minutes with Connor Jones making good ground before being held a foot short of the home line.

They continued to move the ball sharply, but finding a way through the cover was difficult.

Ramon Silva led from the front with several strong drives upfield before going off after taking a knock.

Rovers threatened with Harry Bowes attempting to stab the ball over the Barrow defence, but he found the arms of Tom Walker.

Pressure did pay off for Rovers with Greg Minikin making a break and in support was Caleb Aekins to cross the home line for Daniel Addy to convert 0-6.

Brad Walker tested the Rovers with a high kick to the line, but the ball went into the safe arms of Minikin.

At the other end, Jarrad Stack pulled off a try-saving tackle on Brad Day as he headed for the line.

Barrow raided with swift passing right to left and winger Jacob Douglas, on loan from Wigan, looked certain to score only for Gareth Gale to bundle him into touch on the flag.

Barrow drew level a minute from the break after Shane Toal was taken high in a tackle.

Brad Walker fed Stack who managed to off load to Walker and his long pass sent Bulman in at the corner.

With one of the best kickers in the league Ryan Shaw out of favour, Ryan Johnston stepped up to land a great touchline conversion 6-6.

Seven minutes into the second half Barrow were ahead with swift attacking play enabling Creswell to release Bulman who scampered in at the corner - Johnston once more landing a touchline goal 12-6.

Rovers had a great opportunity to draw level only for Josh Hardcastle's pass to Gale going into touch.

The visitors drew level on 53 minutes, Paul Turner drove for the line from where the ball was in the hands of Keenan Tomlinson who stretched over for Addy to convert 12-12 and game on.

However, it was Barrow who were next on the scoreboard, following pressure in the Rovers half, Brad Walker put in a towering kick to the corner from where Shane Toal out jumped Aekin to dot the ball down for his first try of the season.

Once more Johnston rose to the occasion with his third touchline goal 18-12.

Within three minutes Barrow stretched their lead, Tomlinson attempted to kick the ball downfield only for a Barrow player to charge the ball down allowing Broadbent to swoop and race on from 20 yards.

Johnston tagged on the goal 24-12.

Barrow were on fire with Rovers running out of ideas to breach the Barrow line.

Frustration crept into their play with several dropped passes.

Brad Walker made it a three-score problem with a neat drop goal 25-12.

Barrow defended brilliantly, which was evident when Stack got across to bundle Manoa Wacokecoke into touch on halfway.

That was followed by four defenders sending Gale crashing into touch a minute from time to seal a home win.

Barrow: Creswell, Bulman, Toal, Broadbent, Douglas, B Walker, Johnston, Silva, Wood, T Walker, Greenwood, Stack, Costello. Subs used: Forber, Brown, Makin, Wilkinson. Mail Man of the Match: The whole team from 1-17. Attendance: 2,311. Barrow travel to Bradford next Sunday.