Barrow Raiders suffer away defeat against Halifax Panthers

BARROW RAIDERS 12

In searing heat in Yorkshire, Barrow Raiders put up a brave show despite the scoreline as Halifax completed the double.

Barrow went into action with the withdrawals of skipper Jarrad Stack and Ramon Silver allowing Delaine Gittens-Bedward to make his first start of the season, with teenager Finn McMillan making his second appearance of the campaign.

Barrow were on the back foot in the first 22 minutes as the Panthers raced into a 14-0 lead.

On nine minutes, pressure paid off when keeping the ball alive enabled Ben Tibbs to cross outwide, Louis Joffret failing to convert 4-0.

From the restart Brad Walker sent the ball dead, and from their own line the Panthers swept downfield and in at the corner was James Saltonstall, again no goal 8-0.

The pressure continued but good defending by Barrow kept them at bay.

However, on 22 minutes, craftsman Joe Keyes kicked deep to gain a 40-20.

From the scrum, full-back James Woodburn Hall went in by the posts this time Jouffret added the goal 14-0.

Barrow rarely got into the Panthers half though Josh Wood went close on one raid.

Then Barrow stunned the Panthers on 31 minutes when Shane Toal went for the intercept juggling the ball before racing clear to dot the ball down for Brad Walker to convert 14-6.

Four minutes later, the game was down to two points when Creswell picked up a loose ball to cross the line for Walker to convert 14-12.

The second half was barely underway when Tibbs went in at the corner though Josh Wood thought otherwise claiming he had pushed him into touch, a skirmish followed but the try was given

Gittens-Bedward got involved off the bench and was sent off.

Brett Carter was also involved and was sin binned 18-12.

However, Barrow were not down to 12 men for the rest of the half with Bedward being dismissed from the bench and not on the field.

The score board moved to 20-12 when ball ripping cost Barrow with Jouffret kicking a penalty goal.

And when Joe Keyes dashed to the line, Ellis Gillam pulled off a try saving tackle.

Barrow battled on with Greenwood being held short of the home line as Barrow mounted pressure. Andrew Bulman went close in the corner, but the home cover blocked his path.

Hopes began to fade on 62 minutes when Brett Carter tried to force the pass, and the ever alert Keyes intercepted to race in from 70 yards, Jouffret converting 26-12.

The home side, though ahead by 14 points, were not able to relax as Finn McMillan tried to force his way over.

At the other end Tibbs was heading for the line only for Toal to intercept, but before he got into his stride, Tibbs grabbed him around the collar.

In the closing stages, Ben Kavanagh and Charlie Graham both went in for tries with Jouffret adding the goals.

With fellow strugglers Swinton losing 26-6 at Batley and Whitehaven losing 58-0 at Bradford, Barrow remain in 11th place ahead of the latter two.

There are two vital games ahead with a visit to bottom-placed Dewsbury next weekend, and Swinton the visitors in two weeks.

Barrow: Creswell, Toal, Clarke, Broadbent, Bulman, Wood, B Walker, Gittens-Bedward, Smith, Gillam, McMillan, Greenwood, Brown. Subs used: Carter, T Walker, Wilkinson, Pye.