AMANDA WILKINSON believes her Barrow Raiders side need to improve their game management if they are to give themselves any chance of remaining in Super League this season.
Having fallen agonisingly short of claiming their first win of the season against Featherstone Rovers last Saturday, losing 22-14, Barrow remain rooted to the foot of the table.
If they remain there come the end of the Shield fixtures, which continue with Sunday’s visit of Leigh Leopards, they will face a relegation and promotion play-off game against the winners of the Championship to remain in the top league.
“Featherstone came out in that second half, and there was no way that they were giving that win up,” admitted Wilkinson.
“Game management for me was the difference. Where we needed to get hold of it and try and win the game back, we tried, and I can’t take anything away from the girls’ effort and commitment around each other, but we just couldn’t.
“In terms of execution and how we’re playing, that it’s there, but when you’ve got to get hold of something and manage a game, we struggle, and Featherstone didn’t.
“Every time they got in good ball, they were going over that line. They knew how to finish their sets, they kicked to the right places, chased it, and then defended it.
“That was the difference between the two teams, just that little bit of game management where we came away from it, and it crucified us.
“But I’m proud of the girls, I really am. Some of the girls played with injuries and discomfort and played for 80 minutes in a tough game.
“At the end of the day though, the only thing that is going to keep us in Super League is to get some points on the board and we’re still yet to do that.
“I can say what I like about the girls, but we need the points to stay in Super League.
“These games now are nearly like Grand Final weeks every week because we need to win.
“We’ve left ourselves in a really awkward position now; we’ve got to really go out and get the wins, and rely on others’ performances as well, just to hang on and maybe finish on points difference.”