A strong second half fightback wasn’t enough to prevent Barrow Raiders from falling to a 36-24 defeat to Toulouse Olympique in Round 23 of the Betfred Championship.
The Raiders endured a difficult first half at the Northern Competitions Stadium and found themselves 22-0 down at the break, the visitors’ tries coming from Paul Marcon and a Paul Ulberg double, either side of Ryan Rivett’s effort.
Despite rallying well and outscoring their full-time opponents in the second 40, the damage had already been done as Paul Crarey’s side missed the opportunity to put further space between themselves and the bottom two.
Six minutes after the restart, Jamie Pye powered his way over from close range, with Ryan Shaw converting.
Olly Ashall-Bott finished a long-range break downfield to restore Toulouse’s cushion, but Brad Walker reduced the arrears shortly after the hour mark to make it 28-12, his running line outsmarting the Olympique defence after a good pass from Josh Wood.
It didn’t take long for Shaw to bring the hosts back to within 10, supporting Brett Carter to make it 28-18.
The visitors were handed a penalty with five minutes to go and opted to take the two, moving 12 points ahead. Shortly after, they confirmed the win as fast hands saw Benjamin Laguerre cross out wide.
The last word would be the Raiders’, however, as they kept the ball alive after the final hooter had sounded and Carter crossed in the corner.
Next Sunday, the Raiders are back at home against neighbours Whitehaven, in a pivotal clash at the bottom end of the division.
Tickets for that match can be purchased here.
BARROW RAIDERS 24
Tries: Pye, B Walker, Shaw, Carter
Goals: Shaw 4
TOULOUSE OLYMPIQUE 36
Tries: Marcon, Ulberg 2, Rivett, Ashall-Bott, Laguerre
Goals: Shorrocks 6
Post-match reaction
Raiders head coach Paul Crarey reacts to Saturday’s battling defeat.
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