Barrow Raiders gave their Betfred Championship survival hopes a major boost with a 34-14 victory over Whitehaven at the Northern Competitions Stadium. 

In a must-win game for both sides, it was the hosts who came out on top in the Battle of Cumbria, with former Haven winger Andrew Bulman coming back to haunt his former club by scoring two of the Raiders’ five tries.

The visitors made an ideal start, courtesy of Joey Romeo’s fifth minute opener, but the Raiders were quick to respond through Bulman, who produced a diving finish in the corner under pressure from Haven defenders.

Lachlan Hanneghan edged Kyle Amor’s side back ahead before the 20 minute mark, converting his own try to make it 10-6.

However, the topsy-turvy nature of the first half continued as Ryan Johnston send James Greenwood crashing over for his fifth try of the season, before a Ryan Shaw penalty goal stretched the Raiders’ lead to 14-10 heading into half-time.

The home side would’ve been keen for a quick start to the second half, and they achieved exactly that through Bulman.

With a man advantage following Sam Ackroyd’s sin-binning on 43 minutes, the Raiders turned pressure into points as their try-scoring winger was the beneficiary of quick hands from Luke Cresswell and Luke Broadbent to touch down unopposed in the corner.

A Ryan Johnston intercept extended their advantage with little over 15 minutes to go, although Edene Gebbie soon burrowed his way over from close range to bring Haven back to within 12.

A late melee led to Greg Worthington and Owen McCarron seeing red, and from a penalty given moments later, Shaw kicked the Raiders into a 28-14 lead.

There was still time for Broadbent to seal the win in style by supporting Cresswell’s break forward, latching onto his kick towards the right to score.

The Raiders remain fourth-bottom, a point clear of Swinton Lions, as they look to avoid the promotion play-off game which the side that finishes 12th will have to take part in this season.

Next up is a trip to league leaders Wakefield Trinity on Saturday, and tickets can be purchased here.

BARROW RAIDERS 34

Tries: Bulman 2, Greenwood, Johnston, Broadbent

Goals: Shaw 7

WHITEHAVEN 14

Tries: Romeo, Hanneghan, Gebbie

Goals: Hanneghan

Post-match reaction

Raiders head coach Paul Crarey reflects on Sunday’s derby day win.

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