Barrow Raiders fight until the end in Toulouse defeat

TOULOUSE 36

BARROW put up a gutsy performance against the French side who had the game wrapped up at half time as they went in at 0-22.

Twelve points inside the final four minutes dashed Barrows' hope of causing an upset, but it was a gritty second half that saw the home side come out winners 24-14, but the boat had sailed.

Charlie Emslie was making his first appearance since April following a bicep operation and was heavily involved alongside Delaine Gittens-Bedward and Ellis Gillam.

Toulouse were well in control as their speed and attacking play saw Barrow on the back foot for most of the first period.

Inspired by full-back Olly-Asham-Bott and Ryan Rivett, the visitors were soon putting points on the board.

The game was barely two minutes old when a high ball caught Brett Carter and Ryan Shaw trying to gather the ball which bounced off Carter into the arms of Paul Marcon who went in from close range, Jake Shorrock adding the conversion 0-6.

Barrow did press through Luke Broadbent and Aaron Smith, which resulted in Gillam being held short.

At the other end, Bott lost the ball in trying to cross the line.

Barrow almost opened their account when Carter prised open a gap to dot the ball down, but obstruction was ruled in the build-up.

And when Bott made a tremendous break up field, on hand with a try-saving tackle was Luke Creswell.

However, a quick play the ball right to left enabled Paul Ulberg to sweep in at the corner, no goal 0-10.

The lead was almost stretched minutes later when Shorrocks sent Marcon racing for the corner, but on hand with a try-saving tackle, were Shaw and Creswell.

Toulouse were finding it difficult to add to their tally with Barrow’s scrambling defence keeping them at bay.

They did break through when swift play across field caught Barrow short of numbers, and crossing was Rivett with Shorrocks landing the goal 0-16.

And before Barrow could catch their breath Ulberg was flying in at the corner, Shorrocks landing a touchline goal 0-22, and that’s how it stayed at the break.

Barrow had it all to do, and within five minutes of the restart Tom Walker drove to the visitors’ line from where Wood and Johnston combined for Salford loan forward Jamie Pye to crash over without a finger laid upon him, Shaw converting 6-22.

At the other end good defensive work prevented Marcon touching down out wide.

Wood went close for the home side, but lost possession trying to ground the ball.

A counter-attack saw Toulouse sweep downfield keeping the ball alive for Bott to link up and score, Shorrocks adding the goal 6-28.

Barrow then came back strong with good rugby, and Wood timed his pass to perfection for Brad Walker to fly through a gap to score, Shaw adding the goal 12-28.

This lifted the home side who were in again when Creswell and Carter combined, and cutting through the cover was Shaw who added the goal 18-28.

The visitors made it a 12-point gap with a Shorrock penalty goal at 18-30 before Laguere crossed for Shorrocks to convert 18-36.

Barrow fought till the final whistle and closed the scoring in the final minute when a kick ahead came off a Toulouse player into the arms of Wood.

He parted to Shaw and in for his first try of the season was veteran Brett Carter, Shaw adding the goal.

Barrow: Creswell, Bulman, Broadbent, Carter, Shaw, B Walker, Johnston, Gillam, Smith, Gittens-Bedward, Stack, Emslie, Worthington. Subs used: T Walker, Wilkinson, Pye, Wood. Mail Man of the Match Ellis Gillam. Attendance: 1,708. Barrow take on Whitehaven at home next Sunday.