A 22-6 defeat at Sheffield Eagles saw Barrow Raiders’ unbeaten start to the new Betfred Championship season come to an end.
The Raiders were made to rue an error-strewn display as Sheffield ran out worthy winners at the Steel City Stadium.
With just five minutes gone, Sheffield posted first points. After swinging the ball left, Josh Hodson’s offload bounced into the arms of Joel Farrell to go over in the corner.
The Raiders’ response came before the midway point of the first half through Joe Bullock, who was the recipient of a lovely cut-out pass from Ryan Johnston and crashed over from close range, just to the right of the posts.
But it would be the Eagles who led at half-time, Kieran Hill proving too strong for three defenders close to the line and going over in the right corner to make it 8-6.
There was time before the break for Jordan Lilley to add a penalty goal, making it 10-6 at the interval.
Sheffield stretched their lead not long after half-time, off the back of a Tom Walker error 5m out from the Eagles line. From that mistake, the hosts swept up the loose ball and raced downfield through Billy Walkley, who found the supporting Matty Marsh on his inside to go over.
Walkley added his own name to the scoresheet inside the final 10 minutes. After Curtis Teare fumbled inside the Sheffield half, Hodson’s quick-thinking saw the ball offloaded to Walkley, who raced down the left flank to go over.
With no game next week, Paul Crarey’s side are next in action away at Dewsbury Rams on Sunday 8 March.
SHEFFIELD EAGLES 22
Tries: Farrell, Gill, Marsh, Walkley
Goals: Lilley (3)
BARROW RAIDERS 6
Tries: Bullock
Goals: B.Walker
Post-match reaction
Photo credit: Andy Hayward
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