Barrow Raiders’ wait for a first league win of the season continued as they were held to an 18-18 draw by Newcastle Thunder in Round 5 of the Betfred Championship.
After a scoreless opening 15 minutes, the Raiders broke the deadlock as captain Jarrad Stack bulldozed his way through the visiting defence to crash over for his first try of the season.
A converted Alex Clegg try brought Thunder back level, and they turned the game on its head on 34 minutes as Marcus Walker was given too much space to fly down the left wing and touch down.
Having trailed 10-6 at the break, the Raiders got off to the perfect start in the second half as Jake Carter waltzed his way over after quick hands from his team-mates.
The boot of Ryan Shaw make it 12-10, but the visitors soon re-took the lead through Nikau Williams, who converted his own try.
A second powerful effort of the afternoon for Stack levelled matters again at 16-16 before the hour mark, and Shaw converted once more to edge his side in front.
It was a lead that wouldn’t last for the Raiders, though, and a penalty goal 11 minutes from time from Williams ensured Thunder would return to the north-east with a point to their name.
Paul Crarey’s side are next in action at home to Swinton Lions in the Betfred Challenge Cup third round on Sunday 12 March (3:00pm kick-off).
Tickets for the fixture can be bought here.
BARROW RAIDERS 18
Tries: Stack 2, Carter
Goals: Shaw 3
NEWCASTLE THUNDER 18
Tries: Clegg, Walker, Williams
Goals: Williams 3
Post-match reaction
Listen to the thoughts of Barrow Raiders head coach Paul Crarey following Sunday’s 18-18 draw.
Man of the Match
Steve Woods Ltd selected Jarrad Stack as yesterday’s Man of the Match, with the Raiders captain scoring two tries.
Steve Woods Ltd selected Jarrad Stack as yesterday’s Man of the Match! pic.twitter.com/NUaKTVz2fE
— Barrow Raiders (@BarrowRaiders) March 6, 2023
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