Barrow Raiders relished in derby day delight as they recorded a dominant 56-12 victory over Cumbrian rivals Workington Town at the Fibrus Community Stadium in the Betfred Championship.

The Raiders hit the front within six minutes of the contest, as Tee Ritson dived over in the corner after forwards Tom Walker and Joe Bullock rolled their side into the Workington half with some fantastic middle play; however, windy conditions meant that Brad Walker was unable to complete the conversion.

Ryan King found a gap through the Workington defence to dot down with 20 minutes played, and he would grab his second almost instantly, as Ritson broke through the defensive line to make up 60 metres before finding the Italian forward for his third brace of the season.

Full of confidence, King turned from scorer to provider just a few minutes later, popping off a clever pass to Luke Cresswell to finish off.

Three minutes before the interval, the Raiders dealt a further blow to their Cumbrian rivals as Ritson posted his second of the afternoon to send Paul Crarey’s men into the sheds with five unanswered tries at 26-0 up.

With the wind at their backs, the visitors continued to rumble on, and Shane Toal would crash over following a kick down from Ryan Johnston, before Ritson beat his opposite number for pace to find the Scottish outside back for his second try of the season.

He could have grabbed his third shortly thereafter, as Walker’s kick on the last tackle bobbled in the wind, causing issues for the hosts, and Toal selflessly turned provider, giving the ball to Ritson for his hat-trick.

Johnston added the Raiders’ eighth try 56 minutes into the contest, and Charlie Emslie struck four minutes later to compound Workington’s woes.

With a quarter of the game to go, Andrew Bulman added his name to the scoresheet. Johnston’s kick from within his own 20 metre mark was caught on the full by Ritson, who ran 40 metres before losing his footing, but this allowed the Raiders to strike in the resulting play, going through the hands for Bulman to cross.

Workington grabbed their first of the afternoon with eight minutes to go after a mistake from the Raiders, 10 yards out from their own line, and two minutes later, they hit back once again for the game’s final try, as the Raiders found themselves down to 11 men following an injury to Joe Bullock and a sin-binning for Luke Broadbent.

But it would be Cumbrian derby glory for Paul Crarey’s side, who move up to third in the standings with a third consecutive league victory.

The Raiders are next in action on Saturday 13 June, as they welcome Sheffield Eagles to the Speed Competitions Stadium (6pm kick-off).

Tickets are available to buy here.

WORKINGTON TOWN 12

Tries: Blacker, Stephenson

Goals: Wear (2)

BARROW RAIDERS 56

Tries: Ritson (3), King (2), Cresswell, Toal, Johnston, Emslie, Bulman

Goals: B.Walker (8)

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