BARROW RAIDERS 40 BATLEY BULLDOGS 16
PADDY McATEER, Northern Competitions Stadium, Sunday

BARROW coasted to victory in sweltering heat to maintain their bid for a play-off place.

The Raiders ran in seven tries, with six conversions by Ryan Johnston, having fallen behind in the fifth minute.

Andrew Bulman knocked on at his own play-the-ball inside the home half. From the scrum, Luke Cooper drove hard for the line but fell short. Alistair Leak was also held, but then Luke Blake crossed with ease for Josh Woods to convert and put Batley 6-0 up.

Barrow responded with 16 points between the ninth and 16th minutes.

Tom Walker was the instigator for the first try with a strong drive which led to Brad Walker and Johnston combining to send Curtis Teare through a gap to score, but too wide out for Johnston to convert.

Then came a fine try for Johnston, with the ball moved sharply to Teare, who released Shane Toal. The winger raced downfield and in support was Johnston to round off a spectacular attack by dotting the ball down before starting his successful streak from the tee.

When the Bulldogs were penalised for foul on Luke Broadbent, good approach work from Ellis Robson and Tom Walker paved the way for Bulman to swoop on a loose pass from Brad Walker to skate through woeful defending to score.

Batley were lacking with ball in hand and when Woods managed to put in a dangerous kick, Luke Cresswell was on hand to save his line.

Noah High came on for the visitors but as he tried to head to the line he lost possession.

Another attack broke down when from a tap penalty on the first tackle, Leak lost the ball.

Hardworking Ellis Robson then made a strong run downfield but was held up over the line. However from the play-the-ball, Brad Walker fed Teare, who went in from close range for his second.

On a rare attack, slack marking from the home side allowed Robbie Butterworth to prise open a gap to dot the ball down, with Woods converting.

When Barrow lost possession in their own 20, Ollie Greensmith went for the line only to fall short as he was tackled.

Three minutes into the second half, Batley were caught offside, Barrow built up pressure and Alex Bishop went over.

A further raid was halted when Toal broke clear before passing to Johnston, who had a clear run to the line, but it was ruled forward.

For long spells Batley piled on the pressure with good work from Woods, Lucas Walshaw and Jonah Parsons, but it was to no avail as Barrow soaked up everything that was thrown at them.

Eventually, swift play from one side to the other enabled Aidan McGowan to cross.

But Barrow soon responded as Toal broke a tackle on his own 20-metre line, pulling away with defenders in pursuit. There was only one winner and he flew across the whitewash.

From the restart, Batley were caught offside, allowing Barrow to move upfield with Teare being halted short of the line before Wood managed to get over.

GAMESTAR: Barrow winger Shane Toal scored a spectacular try amid a great attacking performance.

GAMEBREAKER: Two converted Raiders tries just after the hour put the game to bed.

MATCHFACTS
RAIDERS
1 Luke Cresswell
5 Shane Toal
18 Curtis Teare
4 Luke Broadbent
2 Andrew Bulman
22 Alex Bishop
7 Ryan Johnston
8 Tom Walker
9 Josh Wood
23 Joe Bullock
11 Ellis Robson
3 Matty Costello
6 Brad Walker
Subs (all used)
25 Aiden Doolan
12 James Greenwood
32 Ryan Brown
16 Charlie Emslie

Tries: Teare (9, 28), Johnston (12), Bulman (16), Bishop (43), Toal (65), Wood (67)
Goals: Johnston 6/7

BULLDOGS
1 Robbie Butterworth
2 Joe Burton
26 Alfie Dean
3 Ollie Greensmith
38 Aidan McGowan
6 Ben White
7 Josh Woods
17 Luke Blake
9 Alistair Leak
10 Luke Cooper
11 Dane Manning
12 Luke Walshaw
25 Brandon Moore
Subs (all used)
23 Jonah Parsons
37 Noah High
15 Nyle Flynn
32 Jacob Bateman

Tries: Blake (5), Butterworth (31), McGowan (61)
Goals: Woods 2/3

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 4-6, 10-6, 16-6, 22-6, 22-12; 28-12, 28-16, 34-16, 40-16

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Raiders: Shane Toal; Bulldogs: Josh Woods

Penalty count: 5-6
Half-time: 22-12
Referee: Cameron Worsley
Attendance: 1,863