BARROW RAIDERS coach Paul Crarey has challenged the potential goal-kickers in his squad to step up to the plate as well as the tee.
Ryan Shaw has been the go-to player after a try is scored or kickable penalty awarded since signing from Leigh ahead of the 2021 season.
The experienced winger, who has also played for Warrington, Bradford and Hull KR, landed 68 goals in 26 games last season.
And taking in dual-registration and loan spells at his hometown club before moving on a permanent basis, he has 370 (and 41 tries) in 117 outings in a Barrow shirt.
But injury has hampered his pre-season, and when he penned a contract extension for 2025, the 32-year-old hinted that it could be his last campaign before retirement.
Barrow beat both Whitehaven (42-4) and Workington (24-12), but while scoring a combined nine tries in the process, only five were improved.
All were from the boot of halfback Brad Walker (from nine attempts), while outside backs Brett Carter and Curtis Teare drew blanks.
“We managed only two goals against Workington, and if it had been any tighter, that might have made a difference to the outcome,” reflected Crarey.
“Our usual deputy is (halfback) Ryan Johnston, but has had a groin niggle, so given it was a friendly, we didn’t want to take any extra risks.
“It was good to give some other blokes an opportunity to kick in match conditions, and it’s something we need to think about and work on – let’s see someone step forward and take it on.”
Carey has been encouraged by the contributions of a number of players from the club’s Furness Raiders development system.
Dan Knott scored two tries against Whitehaven and one against Workington while Seth Woodend crossed in the first game and Trent Ruddy in the second.
Roly Seward and Oliver Holmes have also featured, and Crarey said: “They have all stood up well.”