Report: Oldham 44-30 Barrow Raiders

Barrow Raiders were beaten 44-30 by Oldham in Round 21 of the Betfred Championship, on the day head coach Paul Crarey celebrated his record-breaking 350th game in charge.

Throughout the week, famous faces for the sport sent their well-wishes to Crarey, as did Raiders stars past and present and those closest to him.

On the field, the game more than lived up to the billing as the two teams shared 12 tries during an entertaining affair at Boundary Park.

Tries from Ellis Robson and returning half-back Ryan Johnston saw the Raiders tied at 12-12 midway through the first half, but Mathieu Pons put Oldham ahead before Ben O’Keefe touched down on the stroke of half-time to give the home side a 22-12 lead at the break.

Sean Long’s side added to their advantage further after the break, Lewis Baxter powering over before four points from the boot of Kieran Dixon made it 28-10.

Dixon was next over for a try of his own before the hour, taking the game out of the Raiders’ reach.

Still, plenty of heart was shown in the last 15 minutes as Joe Bullock and Johnston touched down in quick succession.

Another Dixon penalty goal saw Oldham’s lead move beyond two converted tries once more, with Luke Broadbent and Jack Ormondroyd trading scores in the remaining minutes as the game drew to a close.

The Raiders return home this Sunday for the visit of Widnes Vikings, who sit a point below Paul Crarey’s side in the Championship table. Tickets are available to buy here.

OLDHAM 44

Tries: Dixon (2), Brierley, Pons, O’Keefe, Baxter, Ormondroyd

Goals: Dixon (8)

BARROW RAIDERS 30

Tries: Robson, Johnston (2), Bullock, Broadbent

Goals: B.Walker (5)