Brad Walker was the match-winner on his home league debut for Barrow Raiders as they left it late to pick up their first win of the Betfred Championship season.

The Cumbria-born half-back sank a late drop-goal as the Raiders ran out 15-14 winners against York Knights RLFC at the Northern Competitions Stadium.

Despite falling behind to Will Jubb’s close-range effort midway through the first half, it would be Paul Crarey’s side who held a slender advantage at half-time.

Ryan Shaw was the beneficiary of York being short on numbers on their right-edge defence as he touched down four minutes before the break, then Max Clarke finished off a vintage Raiders try to score on his first home league start for the club..

Neither of those tries were converted by Shaw in blustery conditions, meaning the scoreline read 8-6 at the interval.

Oliver Field and Charlie Severs scored unanswered but crucially unconverted tries to give the Knights a slender six-point lead heading into the final 10 minutes, but the Raiders managed to break York’s resistance five minutes from time through Luke Cresswell, the full-back dummying his way over under the posts.

Shaw’s conversion tied the game, and in a finale not too dissimilar to their disappointing defeat at Whitehaven a week earlier, the Raiders held their nerve when it mattered as Walker sank his attempt at a one-pointer to secure the two competition points.

The Raiders are back on home soil next Sunday against Dewsbury Rams, in the second of three consecutive games at the Northern Competitions Stadium.

Match tickets, sponsorship and hospitality packages for that fixture can be purchased here.

BARROW RAIDERS 15

Tries: Ryan Shaw, Max Clarke, Luke Cresswell

Goals: Ryan Shaw

Drop-goals: Brad Walker

YORK KNIGHTS RLFC 14

Tries: Will Jubb, Oliver Field, Charlie Severs

Goals: Will Dagger

Paul Crarey reaction

Listen to head coach Paul Crarey’s thoughts on Sunday’s Round 3 victory.

Charlie Emslie reaction

Raiders forward Charlie Emslie also discusses the Raiders’ win over York.

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