WHITEHAVEN and Barrow Raiders have had contrasting starts to the Championship season, with Haven languishing next to the bottom of the league, having suffered home defeats to Sheffield Eagles and Newcastle Thunder, the latter by a significant 54-6 margin.
And now they come up against the side sitting at the top of the table in Barrow Raiders, who have enjoyed comfortable victories against Workington Town and Salford so far.
Most observers, however, would anticipate a much closer contest for the Raiders as they visit their Cumbrian neighbours after having put up a good show in the Challenge Cup against York Knights last weekend.
Haven will be anxious to demonstrate to their supporters that their first two results are no indication of their fortunes for the rest of the season, but Barrow coach Paul Crarey (above) will be equally keen to ensure that his side’s unbeaten start to the season continues.
Hooker Aiden Doolen is on a season-long loan from Super League club Castleford Tigers and he touched down for a try when making his debut against Salford.
SQUADS
Whitehaven: 2 Mitchell Todd, 4 Ethan Bickerdike, 5 Jay Weatherill, 6 Ciaran Walker, 7 Jack Newbigin, 8 Jake Pearce, 9 Ellison Holgate, 10 Jordan Thomson, 11 Connor Holliday, 12 Rio McQuistan, 13 Jack Kellett, 14 Josh Blinkhorn, 15 Ellis Nixon, 16 Brad Brennan, 18 Cole Walker-Taylor, 19 Dave Eccleston, 20 Marc Shackley, 21 Joe Lowe, 24 Lewis Brown, 31 Xenden Callander
Raiders: 1 Luke Cresswell, 2 Andrew Bulman, 4 Curtis Teare, 5 Luke Broadbent, 6 Brad Walker, 7 Ryan Johnston, 8 Tom Walker, 9 Josh Wood, 10 Joe Bullock, 11 Ellis Robson, 12 Matthew Costello, 13 Ryan King, 15 Charlie Emslie, 16 Greg Richards, 17 Alex Bishop, 19 Seth Woodend, 25 Theerapol Ritson, 30 Jarrad Stack, 31 Stevie Watson, 32 Ellis Archer, Aiden Doolen
Referee: Adam Williams
STATS
Last ten meetings:
Barrow 34, Whitehaven 14 (ChR24, 15/9/24)
Whitehaven 23, Barrow 22 (ChR2, 29/3/24)
Whitehaven 12, Barrow 18 (1895C-R2, 4/2/24)
Whitehaven 22, Barrow 23 (ChR22, 21/8/23)
Barrow 32, Whitehaven 16 (ChR12, 27/5/23)
(at LNER Community Stadium, York)
Barrow 14, Whitehaven 16 (ChR8, 7/4/23)
Barrow 40, Whitehaven 6 (ChR18, 10/7/22)
Whitehaven 4, Barrow 18 (ChR2, 6/2/22)
Barrow 10, Whitehaven 6 (L1PF, 1/10/17)
Whitehaven 2, Barrow 15 (L1S8-R1, 30/7/17)
CONNOR HOLLIDAY needs one appearance to reach 200 for Whitehaven.
– Debut: Halifax (h) (Ch) (L44-16) (Wing) (15 February, 2015)