Barrow Raiders too strong for Whitehaven in derby clash
Barrow 34 Whitehaven 14 In a pulsating eighty minutes of non-stop action, Barrow eased their relegation worries but were pushed all the way by a Whitehaven side in crisis. The margin, although 20 points, didn’t reflect the contributions Whitehaven put into the game but Barrow ground an almost perfect second half putting in some tremendous defensive work and putting a further 20 points on the board. In all Barrow ran in five tries and it was the trusted boot of Ryan Shaw who helped them over the finishing line. Shaw landed seven goals from seven. Haven, who have been struggling for players of late, refused to throw in the towel but are facing relegation two points behind Swinton and three behind Barrow, with only two games remaining. The game flowed throughout with both teams throwing everything into attack and defence, and it was Andrew Bulman who came back to haunt his old club with two well-taken tries. Skipper Jarrad Stack led from the front but once again a ten out of ten performance from full back Luke Cresswell who was constantly put under pressure taking high bombs in his stride from Jake Carter and Lachlan Hanneghan. Haven played good rugby engineered by Hanneghan and Owen McCarron who blighted a fine game when sent off alongside Greg Worthington seven minutes from time. Both players exchanged punches that Tyson Fury would have been proud of. Haven went close in the opening minutes when Carter parted to Will Evans who lost possession near the line. But there was no stopping PNG winger Edene Gebbie who latched onto a kick to the corner, Hanneghan failed to convert 0-4. And when Haven were penalised for lifting Stack in a tackle, Barrow moved upfield through the two Lukes - Cresswell and Broadbent for Bulman to cross in the corner, Shaw landing a touchline goal 6-4. Carter was once more involved for Haven, he sent Tom Worthing to the line but he lost the ball in trying to touchdown. Hanneghan put in a superb kick for a 40-20 which resulted in himself ghosting through the home cover, he also tagged on the goal 6-10. Hanneghan then sent Sam Ackroyd to the line but a forward pass was ruled. Barrow survived going up field to take a lead not to surrender. Aaron Smith came on for Wood and was soon in the action linking with Johnston who prised open a gap to send James Greenwood over the whitewash for Shaw to convert 12-10. And when Brad Walker was taken off the ball, Shaw put over a penalty goal 14-10. It was Walker on the stroke of half time that almost increased the lead when he shot through a gap but was brought down short. Johnston was held up early in the second half followed by Smith who was inches away from scoring. However the home side did stretch their lead when Walker put in a towering kick, Stack rose high to gather, parting to Broadbent and dotting the ball down was Bulman, Shaw converting 20-10. Haven came back strong through McCarron who was putting in some powerful runs assisted by Hanneghan who was a threat with ball in hand but the Barrow defence was strong, with Broadbent outstanding. When Haven were trying to get into Barrow territory, Johnston intercepted and galloped in from 30 yards to the delight of the home fans, Shaw tagging on the goal 26-10. Haven refused to throw in the towel pulling four points back when Gebbie forced his way over 26-14. Good defending by Barrow halted Callum Shaw crossing in the corner. Barrow pushed on and were attacking when a skirmish erupted with one from each team sent off. From the resulting penalty, Shaw made it 28-10. And to round off a good day at the office, Cresswell made a fine break chipping ahead for Broadbent to pounce and score, Shaw tagging on the goal. Barrow now face Wakefield away and round off the season with a home game with Widnes. Barrow: Cresswell, Bulman, Broadbent,Toal, Shaw, B Walker, Johnston, Gillam,Wood, Brown, Stack, Greenwood,Worthington.Subs used: Smith,Wilkinson, T Walker, Pye. Mail Men of the Match: Cresswell/Broadbent. Attendance; 2,301.
