Report: Sheffield Eagles 36-18 Barrow Raiders

Barrow Raiders endured a difficult afternoon in South Yorkshire as they were beaten 36-18 by 12-man Sheffield Eagles in Round 18 of the Betfred Championship.

The Eagles, who were reduced to 12 men less than 30 minutes into the contest after a red card for Vila Halafihi, defied their numerical disadvantage in the second half to pick up the win against a youthful Raiders side.

It was the Eagles who started quickly and hit the front inside two minutes, powerful second-rower Joel Farrell spinning his way to the line and crashing over.

The Raiders responded before the 20-minute mark when Ryan Johnston was on-hand to support Shane Toal’s break downfield and touch down.

Sheffield’s response was swift, with Matty Dawson-Jones scoring in the corner after the ball came his way.

Not long after, a high tackle on Charlie Emslie saw the Raiders forward stay down for lengthy treatment, and the referee subsequently showed Halafihi a straight red card.

Ryan Shaw kicked the penalty goal to bring the Raiders back to within two points at the break, but a long-range Anthony Thackeray intercept try early in the second half made it 12-6 to the hosts.

A Jesse Sene-Lefao try after 48 minutes extended their advantage, and with Luke Broadbent sent to the sin-bin shortly after the hour mark, the Eagles scored again through Sene-Lefao and Ross Oakes.

Close-range finishes from Greg Burke and Luke Cresswell made it 30-16, before Sheffield scored on the hooter as Thackeray touched down his second of the afternoon.

The Raiders will need to re-group quickly, with runaway league leaders Featherstone Rovers set to visit the Matt Johnson Prestige Stadium on Sunday 16 July.

Tickets for that fixture can be bought here.

SHEFFIELD EAGLES 36

Tries: Farrell, Dawson-Jones, Thackeray 2, Sene-Lefao 2, Oakes

Goals: Aston 4

BARROW RAIDERS 18

Tries: Johnston, Burke, Cresswell

Goals: Shaw 3

Post-match reaction

Head coach Paul Crarey reflects on Sunday’s defeat at Olympic Legacy Park.