Its going to be a long hard season for Town following this crushing defeat at Craven Park.This must be one of the poorest teams from the West of the County to have played Barrow.
They were never in the hunt, void of ideas and looked very lethargic but take nothing away from the home side, they outclassed their opponents scoring many spectacular tries in the process .three lads from across the Jubilee bridge (100 years old this year) all former Walney Central players were at the heart of this stunning victory.
Mike Whitehead crossed for a hat-trick that killed Town off inside 24 minutes, he also had a hand in two other tries and pulled off a crunching tackle on Mark McCulley in a rare threat from the visitors.Liam Finch and Brad Nichols grabbed a brace apiece.
The writing was on the wall as early as the second minute when Pat Weisner slipped a neat ball to prop Lee Dutton , he burst through and when met by McCulley, returned the favour and Weisner touched down, Darren Holt converting 6-0.
Three minutes later and a neat chip to the corner from Holt saw Whitehead sneek round two defenders to get the vital touch,Holts conversion attempt hitting the post 10-0.
Town came close on ten minutes Robert Lunt parted to Franco Kemet and his chip over the line saw Lunt in pursuit but the ball ran dead.
12 minutes into the action and another fine kick to the corner from Wesiner saw Whitehead out jump the cover to gather and plonk the ball down for an unconverted try 14-0.
Town attacked through Carl Forber and his dangerous chip ahead almost had Chris Young at the corner and then Whitehead pulled off that try saving tackle on McCulley.
On 20 minutes Brad Nichols broke on half way, weaving and dodging tackles before pulling clear to score,Holt tagged on the goal 20-0.
There was no stopping Barrow as a long ball from Holt sent winger James Nixon in the clear, he drew McCulley and in support for a well deserved hat-trick was Whitehead scootering in from 25 yards 24-0 and it was now an uphill task for Town.
Tunstall went close but a forward pass ruled out the threat of a try.
On 32 minutes a fine try from Nichols, Holt and Whitehead combined deep in Barrows half Whitehead with a timely pass sent Nixon streaking downfield cutting inside to feed Nichols who touched down in the corner 28—0.
McCulley was stretched off for Town and they had to reshuffle and as half time approached Mark Routledge lost possession close to the line.
Town came out in the second half pressing through Ryan Benjafield- held a foot from the line, and Forber who knocked on.
Barrow soaked up that little piece of pressure turning defence into attack with Ostler making a great break but he was held 15 yards out, from the play the ball the ever alert Andy Ellis buried his way over 32-0 on 50 minutes.
Two more minutes added to the clock and another brilliant try this time from Liam Finch on his return from a short spell with Whitehaven.
Weisners timely pass saw Finch burst through and from 35 yards and on a curving run he he touched down in the corner 36-0.
Then came the try of the game covering 75 yards,Whitehead fed Finch who in turn found Ostler in support, and there was Nixon on hand to put the finishing touches, crossing in the corner,Nick Beach adding the goal 42-0.
A Town attack broke down when Ostler charged the ball down, he parted to Whitehead and Finch pulled away to score from 50 yards out,Beach goaling 48-0.
Town did break their duck on 68 minutes when Lavulavue went in from close range Forber adding the goal 48-6.
But there was no holding Barrow who put the half century up in style as Nixon raced in from 80 yards,Beach tagging on the goal 54-6.
More misery for Town as Harrsion snapped the ball out of the air to romp in from 45 yards Beach adding the extra,s 60-6. And it was Beach who ended the rout following a scrum inside the Barrow half,
Finch was first receiver and he put boot to ball, and Beach won the race to touchdown and convert clickerty click 66-6.
Raiders
1.Craig Bower
2.Mike Backhouse
3.MikeWhitehead
4.Liam Harrison
5.James Nixon
6.Darren Holt
7.Brad Nicholls
8.Lee Dutton
9.Andy Ellis
10.Mick Cassidy
11.Dave Armitstead
12.Martin Ostler
13. Pat Weisner
Subs(All Used)
14.Liam Finch
15.Nick Beach
16.Paul Raftery
17.Jamie Butler
Tries Wesiner 2, Whitehead 5,12,24, Nichols 20,32, Ellis,50, Finch 52,65, Nixon, 62,72, Harrison,75 Beach 78
Goals Holt 2 Beach 5.
Workington Town
1.Mark McCully
2.Routledge
3.Iain Marsh
4.Jason Mossop
5.Ryan Blair
6.Robert Lunt
7.Carl Forber
8.Ryan Benjafield
9.Scott Burgess
10.Dean Burgess
11.Ryan Campbell
12.Dexter Miller
13.Franco Kmet
Subs(all used)
14.Jay Duffy
15.Matthew Tunstall
16.Chris Young
17.Tanni Lavulavu
Tries: Lavualavue 68
Goal: Forber
Half Time: 28-0
Penalty Count: 7-8
Referee: Mr M Thomason
Man of Match Mike Whitehead
Attendance: 1,147
