Barrow Raiders score 16 tries in monster win over Crosfields

BARROW RAIDERS 86 CROSFIELDS 6
PADDY McATEER, Northern Competitions Stadium, Sunday

BARROW proved too powerful for Crosfields as they totalled 16 tries – but the visitors refused to give in.

Crosfields were strong in defence and midfield right until the final hooter, but it was the home outside backs they couldn’t cope with.

The Raiders got off to a flying start after Brad Stanway’s kick-off failed to go the required ten yards, and from a tap-penalty, the ball was worked upfield and Shane Toal dotted down. Brad Walker landed the conversions (the first of his eleven) off a post.

Crosfields pushed forward through Stanway and Jamie Abram, but to no avail.

Ryan King forced his way over on six minutes, and from restart, the ball went out of play. Barrow worked their way upfield through the tap and a neat ball from King sent Ramon Silva crashing over.

With twelve minutes gone, it was 24-0, with several players involved as Curtis Teare raced clear to send Toal in for his second try.

Crosfields came downfield with good play from impressive centre Luke Walker followed by Stanway, and Ben Steel sent Abram to the line only for the cover to be on hand.

Andrew Bulman was next on the scoresheet after good approach work from Brad Walker and Luke Cresswell.

Crosfields lost Jack Foulkes with a shoulder injury, but kept plugging away and they again approached the home line, only for Luke Walker to lose possession.

Tom Wilkinson then put Delaine Gittens-Bedward into space and after a powerful run, he sent the supporting Ellis Robson over.

Just before half-time, Cresswell’s chip was snapped up by Teare for 38-0.

Robson got his second try early in the second half, but Crosfields kept plugging away and Jack Williams forced his way over to the delight of the travelling fans. Stanway added the goal.

Normal business was resumed as a Silva break resulted in Brad Walker sending Wilkinson over.

Brad Walker sent Teare in for his second, then crossed himself, and swift play from Teare and Toal resulted in Johnston racing over.

Silva then made a 40-yard break for Toal to enable Teare to complete his hat-trick.

Brad Walker and Cresswell combined for Josh Wood to go in by the posts, and Johnston’s long looping pass sent Toal over for his treble before a Costello break teed up Bulman.

GAMESTAR: Barrow prop Ramon Silva. The former Wigan forward was a constant threat and got on the scoresheet

GAMEBREAKER: An opening salvo of 24 points in twelve minutes.

MATCHFACTS
RAIDERS
1 Luke Cresswell
2 Andrew Bulman
3 Matty Costello
18 Curtis Teare
5 Shane Toal
6 Brad Walker
7 Ryan Johnston
8 Tom Walker
9 Josh Wood
10 Ramon Silva
11 Ellis Robson
12 James Greenwood
13 Ryan King
Subs (all used)
14 Aaron Smith
16 Charlie Emslie
15 Tom Wilkinson
19 Delaine Gittens-Bedward

Tries: Toal (1, 12, 76), King (6), Silva (10), Bulman (24, 78), Robson (29, 42), Teare (39, 61, 71), Wilkinson (55), B Walker (66), Johnston (68), Wood (74)
Goals: B Walker 11/16

CROSFIELDS
1 Jamie Abram
2 Dylan Braddish
3 Luke Walker
4 Nathan Taylor
5 Ben Lomax
6 Ben Steele
7 Brad Stanway
8 Tom Millington
9 Charlie Groake
10 Jack Foulkes
11 Nathan Lyon
12 Tom Smith
13 Taylor Boyne
Subs (all used)
14 Jack Williams
17 Sam Vernon
16 Tom Brown
19 Elliot Liku