Barrow Raiders fell to a 36-18 defeat at Featherstone Rovers in Round 22 of the Betfred Championship.
Play-off-chasing Rovers proved too strong for the Raiders, who were unable to make it three wins in a row after recent successes against Dewsbury Rams and Swinton Lions.
An early converted try from Brad Day put the home side ahead, but the Raiders’ response was quick as Ryan Johnston was the beneficiary of an audacious through-the-legs pass from Ryan Shaw to touch down in the left corner.
Ben Reynolds extended Featherstone’s lead, then a converted Connor Jones score shortly before half-time made it 18-4 at the break.
The lead stretched further on 46 minutes when the ball deflected kindly for Jimmy Beckett to score.
The Raiders pulled a try back shortly after through Josh Wood, who burrowed his way over from close range.
Another Featherstone try from Connor Wynne stretched their advantage to more than three converted scores but a long-range effort saw Luke Broadbent support Andrew Bulman’s break downfield to reduce the arrears.
The next try would go the way of the home side with 10 to go, Jones grabbing his second of the afternoon to make it 36-14.
However, the Raiders would have the final say on the scoreboard as Shane Toal took advantage of a scuffle in back-play to grab his fourth try of the season.
The game ended on a sour note as Danny Addy, Josh Wood and Harry Bowes all headed for an early shower after receiving yellow cards for their part in respective late fracas’, but it did little to alter the outcome.
The Raiders will hope to rediscover their winning touch on home soil when Toulouse Olympique make the trip to Cumbria on Saturday.
Tickets for that game can be purchased here.
FEATHERSTONE ROVERS 36
Tries: Day, Reynolds, Jones 2, Beckett, Wynne
Goals: Reynolds 6
BARROW RAIDERS 18
Tries: Johnston, Wood, Broadbent, Toal
Goals: Shaw
Post-match reaction
Raiders head coach Paul Crarey reflects on Sunday’s defeat.
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