BARROW RAIDERS starlets Dan Knott (above) and Stevie Watson are hoping to grab their first-team chances with both hands after being given the nod by coach Paul Crarey in recent weeks.
Dalton-produced winger Knott made his debut against Salford earlier in the year and added a further appearance against Hunslet, with Andrew Bulman ruled out through injury.
And despite acknowledging the increase in physicality, the teenager cannot wait to have more chances with Crarey’s side over the remainder of the campaign.
“The Championship is a lot faster paced than I am used to and it is a lot more physical, but I’ve enjoyed getting stuck into it and hopefully I will be able to play a few more times this year,” he said.
“I did have pre-season games with the lads for us to get used to each other and see how we all play, but it’s nice to put that into practice out there on the pitch.”
Prop Watson is also enjoying the Raiders experience, having played twice since joining from Millom.
“I like getting stuck into the big lads in the middle, it’s enjoyable,” he said.
“It’s a lot different to playing for Millom, but I’m hoping to get used to it and play more matches.”
Meanwhile, Barrow have appealed for witnesses after signage and billboards around their ground were damaged.
Fans and locals are being asked to support the investigation so that those responsible can be found more quickly.
A Raiders spokesperson said: “We have been victims of mindless vandalism over the past few weeks with the billboards and other signage on Hindpool Road being targeted.
“This isn’t a one-off incident and we are working with the police to try to identify the perpetrators.
“Our replacement bill is mounting and it is something we can ill afford to be paying out.”