SALFORD 20 BARROW RAIDERS 22
KASEY SMITH, CorpAcq Stadium, Sunday
BARROW, for the second week running, overcame a half-time deficit to snatch victory, having been given a scare.
The Raiders, who battled back from a 28-0 behind against Dewsbury, didn’t face quite as steep a challenge this time in terms of points.
But they still had to withstand a determined and fierce Salford side, who with greater composure in attack, might have grabbed a win.
Barrow, for large parts, were their own worst enemy. Their indiscipline handed Salford a huge chance to secure what would have been a shock win.
However in a frantic final five minutes, they were awarded two penalties, both of which were turned into goals, so extending the visitors’ winning streak to six matches.
Salford struck first as the elusive Owain Abel dummied left before stepping back to his right and dancing through the defence to score. Kieran Dixon converted.
But on 20 minutes, Luke Cresswell stepped up, took control, and powered his way over, with Brad Walker’s goal levelling.
Barrow were then opened up by a sweeping attack down the left. Joe Hartley’s pinpoint pass found Keane Gilford, who spectacularly and acrobatically touched down wide out. The try, improved by Dixon, sparked a fracas, with Salford’s Brad Dwyer and Barrow’s Brad Walker yellow carded.
Salford quickly capitalised on their numerical advantage, attacking with intent. Oliver Garmston forced his way over to shock Barrow.
Visiting coach Paul Crarey had already used four interchanges in the first half, likely a sign of his frustration.
But his side ended the opening 40 with greater intensity and a well-weighted floated pass found Luke Broadbent, who finished clinically. Ryan Johnston converted to cut Salford’s lead to 18-12.
The game stayed set for set for long spells, a credit to Salford’s effort, despite the supposed gulf in experience, with Barrow boasting a wealth of Championship and Super League pedigree.
But when the Cumbrians were awarded a penalty inside Salford’s ten-metre line, they were able to shift the ball out wide and find Broadbent in space to score his second on 57 minutes. Walker added the goal to level the scores once again.
Having just got themselves back level, Barrow indiscipline proved costly again, with Dixon slotting over a two-pointer for 20-18.
Salford had Barrow camped deep on their own line, driven on by a wall of noise at the CorpAcq Stadium, with Toby Hughes delicately dinking a kick which forced a drop-out.
After spending almost 15 minutes camped on the Barrow line, Crarey’s side got back on the front foot following successive penalties. Walker opted to kick the latter and make it 20-20.
With less than two minutes remaining, Barrow had another penalty and Walker, 40 metres out, calmly slotted it over for victory.
GAMESTAR: Brad Dwyer played a key role in getting Salford on the front foot, bringing a calm, experienced presence to a group full of young but raw talent.
GAMEBREAKER: Brad Walker’s penalty-goal from 40 metres out meant Barrow’s winning run continued.
MATCHFACTS
SALFORD
1 Kieran Dixon
39 Callum Green
3 Jake Spedding
20 Joe Hartley
38 Keane Gilford
7 Toby Hughes
40 Owain Abel
36 Danny Lynch
9 Brad Dwyer
37 Jack Bibby
33 Cole Oakley
12 Oliver Garmston
29 Cameron Bate
Subs (all used)
14 Finley Yates
26 Reece Stanton
32 Joe Baldwin
41 Alfie Leake
Tries: Abel (7), Gilford (26), Garmston (30)
Goals: Dixon 4/4
Sin bin: Dwyer (27) – fighting
RAIDERS
1 Luke Cresswell
2 Andrew Bulman
4 Curtis Teare
3 Shane Toal
5 Luke Broadbent
6 Brad Walker
7 Ryan Johnston
8 Joe Bullock
17 Alex Bishop
8 Tom Walker
11 Ellis Robson
22 Jarrad Stack
13 Ryan King
Subs (all used)
24 Harvey Makin
31 Tom Forber
32 Ryan Brown
33 Brad Singleton
Tries: Cresswell (20), Broadbent (36, 57)
Goals: Johnston 1/1, Walker 4/4
Sin bin: Walker (27) – fighting
SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 6-6, 12-6, 18-6, 18-12; 18-18, 20-18, 20-20, 20-22
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Salford: Brad Dwyer; Raiders: Luke Broadbent
Penalty count: 11-7
Half-time: 18-12
Referee: Luke Bland