Report: Barrow Raiders 24-14 Rochdale Hornets

Barrow Raiders kicked off their August run-in with a hard-fought 24-14 victory at home to Rochdale Hornets.

After a tussle of a game which swung back and forth, it took a late double from prop forward Tom Walker to secure Paul Crarey’s side the win as they found the perfect response to a winless July.

It was the Raiders who struck first before the midway point of the first half. Moving the ball left, a looping pass from Ellis Archer – only brought into the side shortly before kick-off after Ryan Johnston pulled out in the warm-up – found the in-form Ryan King to power his way over for an eighth try in nine games.

Rochdale responded well though, and slick hands sent Alex Chippendale in for his first professional try.

It was the Hornets who struck another blow before the break to move 10-4 ahead. A surging run from Chris Barratt was halted close to the line, but on the next play, the ball was moved right to find Max Flanagan and he dummied his way through the defensive line to dive over.

The second half required a quick start from the Raiders, and they managed exactly that.

Archer’s high, hanging kick wasn’t dealt with by two Hornets players, allowing Luke Broadbent to chase down the bouncing ball and ground it just before the dead-ball line.

Archer’s boot nudged Barrow 12-10 ahead soon after as the hosts were awarded a penalty close to the sticks.

The topsy-turvy nature of the game showed no signs of letting up, and Rochdale hooker George Roby crashed over to the right of the ruck to restore his side’s advantage.

But with just over 15 minutes to play, Walker came to the fore. Receiving the ball 10m out, he charged his way to the line to score, despite the presence of multiple defenders. Archer’s conversion then made it 18-14.

In the end, it took until the final minutes for the contest to be settled. Moving it to the left of the ruck, half-back Alex Bishop found the perfect pass to send Walker over unopposed for his second try of the game – and third of the season – as the Raiders did just enough to seal a win which saw them climb to fourth in the Betfred Championship table.

Next up, the Raiders will travel to West Yorkshire to face Halifax Panthers in their final away game of the regular season on Sunday 9 August (3pm kick-off).

Tickets are available to buy here.

BARROW RAIDERS 24

Tries: King, Broadbent, T.Walker (2)

Goals: Archer (4)

ROCHDALE HORNETS 14

Tries: Chippendale, Flanagan, Roby

Goals: Flanagan