PAUL Crarey wants to reward the Barrow Raiders faithful by taking his team all the way to the iPro Sport Cup final at May’s Summer Bash.

Barrow take the first step on their journey against Rochdale Hornets at Craven Park next Sunday and, although they are a tricky obstacle to overcome, Crarey wants to progress in a competition won last year by North Wales Crusaders.

Raiders coach Crarey has plenty of admiration for the team’s supporters, who averaged 907 at home in league and cups last year, and said: “We want to try and do well in every game for the paying public.

“They pay money every week to watch us play, which is hard-earned money, so we want to try and do it for them.

“The supporters over the last 12 months have been absolutely fantastic.

“We have got the biggest support in the division bar none, we have got to do it for them.”

Raiders have prepared well, having played four pre-season friendlies, and Crarey should have no problem getting his team psyched up for the Hornets clash.

He said: “I am looking forward to it, it’s totally different to friendlies, the mood actually changes in the changing room.

“When you are in competition you can actually see them ramp it up a little bit before they go out.

“Most teams are at their strongest, so again it’s psyhcological if we beat Rochdale, again that’s good for us.

“It gives us confidence as a group and it proves we can play as a new group as well, and also it is for the fans.

“It is a one-shot deal, cup games, there is no second chance, it’s on the day, everybody’s fighting for the same thing.

“We would like to get there (to the final).

“I did the radio last year and watched it, but I would like to be involved in it as a coach. That’s our goal as a club and as a team.”

Barrow edged Gloucester All Golds 16-14 in the first round of the cup last year before bowing out of in the next round 32-10 to Oldham.

They were given a bit of a lesson at Spotland in the league last year losing 48-12 – their heaviest league defeat on the road – but as the season grew so did the Raiders.

They got their own back with a 46-28 victory at Craven Park in a match which saw Chris Fleming and Josh Ward each bag a brace of tries.

“I think both sides are pretty even, one game each last year and they were high-scoring affairs, so both sides like to play rugby,” added Crarey.

“It is who’s the best on the day, the most disciplined and who pulls off the best players that will win so hopefully that will be us.”