IT was a tough and even encounter against League One joint-favourites Keighley Cougars, rounded off by a Ryan Fieldhouse double in the last 12 minutes to secure a well-earned victory.

When winger Paul White went over in the left corner and was awarded a controversial try with three minutes to go to make it 14-12 to the visitors, I thought it was game over and another last-gasp Keighley victory was on the cards.

But all credit to Barrow, they dug deep, kept their heads up and immediately went on the offensive to score well into added time to win 18-14.

It wasn’t a classic and there were quite a few handling errors and forced passes, but it was a pre-season friendly and, on balance, a pretty good performance in tricky conditions.

I was back on apprentice radio duty and managed to grab an interview with both coaches, Paul March, of Keighley, and Paul Crarey, of Barrow.

Both were happy with their respective team performance, although Keighley were beaten.

March was very complimentary with regard to Barrow and, despite his fearsome reputation, he was a true gent and a thoroughly nice guy.

He also praised the genuine bond that was developing between the two clubs, especially following the tragic loss of Danny Jones.

His only negative comment was the constant wind blowing in from Walney. I said us Barrovians were used to it and that’s why there are 1,000 windmills just off the coast.

There is no game for Barrow this weekend, but Keighley entertain Hunslet in their final warm-up before travelling up the coast to Wath Brow next week in the Ipro Sport Cup.

We play Rochdale Hornets next Sunday in the same cup competition at Craven Park in our first proper game and it should be a real battle, as Rochdale have been impressive in pre-season and last week put 60 points into Coventry Bears.

The Super League and Championship competitions got underway last weekend and the testimonial postponement did Warrington no harm as they went and won at champions Leeds Rhinos 12-10.

It’s a good job Warrington weren’t due to play Wigan on Friday night at the DW stadium; did you see the state of the pitch? Craven Park – all is forgiven.

Partners Leigh were surprisingly beaten on the Batley slope and perhaps it’s going to take some time to get over the shock resignation of long-standing coach Paul Rowley.

Cumbrian rivals Whitehaven and Workington were comprehensively beaten by Halifax and Sheffield respectively and it’s looking like another long season ahead, with the main priority to finish above promoted Oldham and Swinton.

Our League campaign doesn’t get under way for another three weeks, when we are away to North Wales Crusaders at the home of Wrexham FC.

Unknown quantity Toulouse finally play a warm-up game tomorrow when they travel to another French team, St Gaudens.

We will be interested in the outcome of that one as Toulouse are joint-favourites to win the league.

We thankfully play them at home in the summer, which should be the biggest home fixture of the first phase of the season. We don’t have to travel to France.

On the international front, it was no surprise to learn of Steve McNamara’s contract termination as coach of England RL.

The RFL have copied the RFU and appointed another Aussie in the form of well-respected Wayne Bennett with a two-year deal. Apparently he rivals Alex Ferguson in football, he is that sort of character.

However, the appointment is part-time and Wayne will continue to coach Brisbane Broncos back in Australia. Some circles are questioning that wisdom and are calling for the appointment of an English coach; the preference being Brian McDermott, of Leeds.

Let’s hope Wayne can get the best out of this talented squad and find a way to beat the Aussies and the Kiwis on a regular basis and put England in a strong position to win the World Cup next year.

A TOUGH and even encounter rounded off by a Ryan Fieldhouse double in the last 12 minutes to secure a well-earned victory against League One joint-favourites Keighley Cougars. 

When winger Paul White went over in the left corner and was awarded a controversial try with three minutes to go to make it 14-12 to the visitors, I thought it was ‘game over’ and another last-gasp Keighley victory was on the cards again. 

But all credit to Barrow. They dug deep, kept their heads up and immediately went on the offensive to score well into added time to win 18-14.

It wasn’t a classic and there were quite a few handling errors and ‘forced passes’, but it was a pre-season friendly and on balance a pretty good performance in tricky conditions. 

I was back on ‘apprentice’ radio duty and at the end of the game I managed to grab an interview with both coaches, Paul March of Keighley and Paul Crarey of Barrow. 

Both coaches were happy with their respective team performances, and although Keighley were beaten, Paul March was very complimentary with regard to Barrow. And despite his fearsome reputation he was a true gent and a thoroughly nice guy. 

He also praised the genuine bond that was developing between the two clubs, especially following the tragic loss of Danny Jones. His only negative comment was the ‘constant’ wind blowing in from Walney. 

I said us Barrovians were used to it and that’s why there is a 1,000 windmills just off the coast! No game for Barrow this weekend, but Keighley entertain Hunslet in their final warm-up before travelling up the coast to Wath Brow next week in the Ipro Sport Cup. 

We play Rochdale Hornets next Sunday in the same cup competition at Craven Park in our first proper game and it should be a real battle as Rochdale have been impressive in pre-season and last week put 60 points into Coventry Bears. 

The Super League and Championship competitions got under way last weekend and the testimonial postponement did Warrington no harm as they went and won 12-10 at champions Leeds Rhinos.

 It’s a good job Warrington weren’t due to play Wigan on Friday night at the DW stadium; did you see the state of the pitch? Craven Park ... all is forgiven! 

Partners Leigh were surprisingly beaten on the Batley slope and perhaps it’s going to take some time to get over the shock resignation of long-standing coach Paul Rowley. 

Cumbrian rivals Whitehaven and Workington were comprehensively beaten by Halifax and Sheffield respectively and it’s looking like another long season lies ahead with the main priority to finish above promoted Oldham and Swinton. 

Our league campaign doesn’t get under way for another three weeks when we are away to North Wales Crusaders at the home of Wrexham FC. 

Unknown quantity Toulouse finally play a warm-up game tomorrow when they travel to another French team St Gaudens. We will be interested in the outcome of that one as Toulouse are joint-favourites to win the league. 

We thankfully play them at home in the summer which should be the home fixture of the first phase of the season. 

We don’t have to travel to France. On the international front it was no surprise to learn of Steve McNamara’s contract termination as coach of England RL. 

The RFL have copied the RFU and appointed another Aussie in the form of well-respected Wayne Bennett with a two-year deal. Apparently he rivals Alex Ferguson in football, he is that sort of character. 

However, the appointment is part-time and Wayne will continue to coach Brisbane Broncos back in Australia. Some circles are questioning that wisdom and are calling for the appointment of an English coach; the preference being Brian McDermott of Leeds. 

Let’s hope Wayne can get the best out of this talented squad and find a way to beat the Aussies and the Kiwi’ on a regular basis and put England in a strong position to win the World Cup next year.