WIGAN ST JUDES 4 BARROW RAIDERS 76
DAVE PARKINSON, Parsons Meadow, Saturday

BARROW gave a professional performance on a historic day when Wigan St Judes hosted a professional outfit in the Challenge Cup for the first time.

Raiders amassed 13 tries in total, having to overcome game-ending injuries to captain Ryan Johnston, winger Andrew Bulman and prop Joe Bullock in the first half. 

Early spirited defence held the Championship side at bay while at the other end Dec O’Donnell, Dec Parkinson and Brogan Turner fashioned a chance Judes couldn’t convert. Bulman, meanwhile, was twice hauled down close to the line.

Barrow scored their first try after seven minutes when Tee Ritson dived over in the left corner after good work from Luke Cresswell and Luke Broadbent. 

A quick double from Ellis Robson, and two goals from Brad Walker, brought a 0-16 scoreline within the first 20 minutes. 

The hosts rallied as Judes fullback James Worthington cut Ritson down and a big hit from Dante Morley-Samuels forced an error from Matty Costello, but Barrow found their groove again with Charlie Emslie crossing from Brad Walker’s pass before a spectacular counter-attacking move from the restart saw Ritson unleash Broadbent over 60 metres.

There were further scores for the Raiders too as Ellis Archer supported Ryan King and a Josh Wood break led to Emslie’s second. Walker took his goal tally to six before a well-worked score went the way of the Wigan side. 

An intelligent kick to the corner from Dec Parkinson was pounced upon by Dante Morley-Samuels, however Adam Holt couldn’t goal and the sides went to the break with Barrow leading 4-40.

The start of the second half was scrappy and it took a few minutes for Barrow to reassert themselves when Cresswell forced his way over from dummy-half. 

Wigan St Judes then lost Adam Lavin to the sin bin after a high tackle on Ritson, and the Raiders took advantage with two tries in three minutes. 

Cresswell and Jarrad Stack combined to put Costello over, before Ryan King took a short restart and by the end of the set had muscled over the line. 

Metronomic Walker continued to convert and Costello flew down the right on the hour after a flowing move that began on halfway. 

Archer confidently added his second try and the game finished on a high for the Raiders when Ritson scorched down the touchline for his second score and Walker completed his twelve-goal haul to set up a round-three clash at home to York.

GAMESTAR: Ryan King, who has started the season in superb form, worked hard and did big minutes for his team.

GAMEBREAKER: Luke Broadbent’s score stretched Barrow’s advantage to 0-28.

MATCHFACTS

JUDES
1 James Worthington
2 Harry Parkinson
3 Brogan Turner
4 Joey Brady
5 Reece McNally
6 Adam Holt
7 Dec Parkinson
8 Josh Hill
9 Dec O’Donnell
21 Ryan Duffy
12 Dante Morley-Samuels
19 Cal Palmer
13 Danny Fallon
Subs (all used)
14 McKenzie Davies
15 Adam Lavin
16 Elliott Garrido
17 Kieran Rennox

Tries: Morley-Samuels (39)
Goals: Holt 0/1
Sin bin: Lavin (46) – high tackle

RAIDERS
1 Luke Cresswell
2 Andrew Bulman
4 Curtis Teare
5 Luke Broadbent
25 Tee Ritson
6 Brad Walker
7 Ryan Johnston
10 Joe Bullock
9 Josh Wood
8 Tom Walker
11 Ellis Robson
12 Matty Costello
13 Ryan King
Subs (all used)
15 Charlie Emslie
30 Jarrad Stack
31 Stevie Watson
32 Ellis Archer

Tries: Ritson (7, 77), Robson (13, 19), Emslie (29, 38), Broadbent (32), Archer (37, 64), Cresswell (43), Costello (48, 60), King (51)
Goals: B Walker 12/13

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-4, 0-10, 0-16, 0-22, 0-28, 0-34, 0-40, 4-40; 4-46, 4-52, 4-58, 4-64, 4-70, 4-76

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Judes: Dante Morley-Samuels; Raiders: Ryan King

Penalty count: 2-8
Half-time: 4-40
Referee: Freddie Lincoln