Report: Whitehaven 0-30 Barrow Raiders

Barrow Raiders maintained their unbeaten start to the new Betfred Championship season with a resounding 30-0 win at Cumbrian neighbours Whitehaven.

In wet and muddy conditions at the Ortus Rec, the Raiders established a lead from the outset and never looked back, helped by some strong goal-line defence to keep the hosts at bay.

It took just two minutes for the first points of the afternoon as the ball was worked from left to right to find Curtis Teare, who went over from close range against his former club.

Before the midway point of the half, captain Ryan Johnston took the Raiders into a double-figure lead, his kick close to the line ricocheting off a Whitehaven leg and fortuitously back into his arms to score.

The lead remained at 12-0 heading into half-time, but five minutes after the break, Matt Costello touched down from acting half-back to take the game further out of Whitehaven’s reach.

Johnston had another soon after, collecting the ball five metres out and chipping it over the last defender before scoring under the posts.

Costello was next to score his second, wrong-footing home defenders out on the right and proving too big and strong to be stopped close to the line.

That took the Raiders 30 points clear at the midway stage of the second half, Brad Walker kicking his fifth conversion from five to give Paul Crarey’s side their third league win in a row.

Up next for the current Championship leaders is a trip to Sheffield Eagles on Saturday 21 February (3pm kick-off). Tickets are available to buy here.

WHITEHAVEN 0

Tries:

Goals:

BARROW RAIDERS 30

Tries: Teare, Johnston (2), Costello (2)

Goals: B.Walker (5)