SWINTON LIONS 10

BARROW RAIDERS 24

BARROW pulled out all the stops to put last week's disappointing home defeat at the hands of Halifax behind them.

They dominated the first half and were well worthy of their 20-0 lead.

The Lions had former Raider and speed merchant Tee Ritson operating at full-back, and though he provided the pass for an early second-half try from Jayden Hatton, he was well policed throughout.

Full-back Luke Creswell was heavily involved in the first period both in attack and defence, but it was a fine all-round team performance that enabled Barrow to win their first away game with the Lions since August 2008.

Barrow took the game to the Lions and within two minutes Luke Creswell was heading for the line only for Tee Ritson to haul him down.

Raiders continued to attack through Ramon Silva, Josh Wood and Creswell which resulted in the Lions being punished for a high tackle resulting in Ryan Johnston putting the first points on the board with the goal 0-2.

This lifted Barrow who were soon to increase their lead, Greg Worthington was involved as Matty Costello broke through parting to Jacob Douglas who returned the ball to Costello who crossed for his fifth try of the season, Johnston adding the conversion 0-8.

Barrow kept the Lions penned in their own half, and it took a high kick from former Raider Dan Abram to gain good ground only for Creswell to take the ball cleanly.

Creswell carried on the good work from last week linking up at every opportunity, and he sent Johnston to the home line only for the halfback to knock on.

And when Brad Walker put in a towering kick, Ritson rose high to gather, but was bundled to the ground by Wood and Silva.

Swinton rarely got into Barrow territory being forced to defend, and it took the hand of Matty Grimes to prevent Douglas going in at the corner.

When the Lions made progress into the Barrow half through Ritson, a chip ahead once more was gathered by Creswell.

Then Barrow were penalised inside their own half, George Roby on the first tackle decided to chip over the cover, but the ball went safely into the arms of Creswell.

A counter-attack saw Barrow increase their lead with great speed and swift hands coming from Brad Walker, Bulman and Johnston who acrobatically put the ball into the arms of Greenwood who dotted the ball down, Johnston adding the goal 0-14.

A Lions threat from Abram came to an abrupt end when Jarrad Stack sent him crashing to the ground.

Barrow were not finished, and almost on half-time Harvey Makin forced his way over for Johnston to convert 0-20.

From the restart the Lions sent the ball dead on the hooter, the tap penalty saw Johnston attempt to score from halfway, but his attempt went wide.

The second half was barely two minutes old when Ritson joined the attack to send Hatton in for an unconverted try 4-20.

It was nip and tuck from then on with the Lions failing miserably when Rhys Williams rounded Creswell with the line open, but managed to lose the ball.

And when another former Raider Jake Spedding broke in midfield, on hand to halt any further progress were Johnston and Greenwood.

George Roby tried to force his way over, but four defenders made sure he would make no further progress.

Johnston, who was leading his fellow players around the park was then taken high in the tackle and sent the penalty kick between the posts 4-22.

The Lions were down to 12 men for the remainder of the game with Hatton in the sin bin.

Johnston added another goal only for Cox to go in for a late try converted by Abram.

Barrow now entertain leaders Wakefield Trinity next Sunday.

Barrow: Creswell, Bulman, Broadbent, Costello, Douglas, B Walker, Johnston, Gillam, Wood, Silva, Stack, Greenwood, Worthington. Subs: Makin, Wilkinson, T Walker, Bourouh.