Last updated at 12:00, Thursday, 11 September 2008

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NATIONAL League One rugby will be back at Craven Park next season - providing Barrow Raiders are not beaten by more than 88 points in their final game at Doncaster on Wednesday night.

That’s the picture after Barrow disposed of Swinton 32-12 at Sedgley Park on Saturday and Workington’s 40-16 defeat at Oldham yesterday.

But the likelihood of losing by such a margin at Doncaster is so remote as to render it unfeasible.

And Barrow chief executive Des Johnston was among the fans ready to start the celebrations after the win in leafy Prestwich.

As the klaxon sounded the end of Barrow’s penultimate game in the current campaign, the chief executive accepted handshakes from wellwishers in the modest grandstand.

“Well, we are there at long last,” he said.

“I’ve been waiting two-and-a-half-years for this, and now I will be getting a few drinks in to enjoy this moment.

“It has been a nightmare this past three months, and we have made bloody hard work of it, but tonight I am just delighted for everyone at the club - the players, the supporters and everyone involved.

“I’m over the moon.”

Bookmakers fancied Barrow to win, but the Raiders’ stuttering form did not allow for unbridled confidence.

And word went around before the kick-off that Swinton players, already doomed to another season in National League Two, had been told they were playing for their contracts.

More unsettling still was news that Barrow’s former Wigan and Great Britain Test prop Mick Cassidy was not available because of a long-standing family commitment.

Barrow officials shielded this from public consumption in order to prevent the Lions from using it to their advantage.
The game itself had few spectacular moments.

Barrow played copybook stuff, the forwards making tough yards up the centre of the park, and when no real breakthroughs were available, the ball was recycled to half-back Darren Holt, who whacked it upfield for more remorseless yards of the same.

The cracks in the Swinton line duly appeared, with Barrow forwards Brett McDermott and Jamie Butler, along with pivot Andy Ellis doing salient damage while young flier James Nixon touched down for a hat-trick of tries.

Martin Ostler, Andrew Beattie and Liam Finch also crossed the Swinton whitewash with Holt landing three conversions and a pair of drop goals.

In the aftermath Barrow coach Dave Clark, players, directors and other officials stayed on the pitch to applaud and shake hands with the 200 or so travelling fans who easily out-shouted the home support.

SEE MONDAY'S EVENING MAIL FOR THE FULL MATCH REPORT.

First published at 12:43, Monday, 25 August 2008
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk