Last updated at 21:24, Monday, 21 January 2013

IMPRESSIVE new forward Kurt Haggerty admits he has found it tough at Barrow, despite dropping down from full-time rugby league.

TRAVELLING: Kurt Haggerty HARRY ATKINSON

Haggerty made 16 appearances for Widnes Vikings in Super League last season – his first in the top-flight of the game. But the 24-year-old signed on at Craven Park in the close-season ready for a new challenge with Raiders in the Championship.

Haggerty has been one of the stars of the pre-season campaign – scoring a hat-trick in the 22-20 defeat of the BARLA Great Britain amateurs – but says he found it difficult making the adjustment back to the semi-pro game.

“I’ve really enjoyed it since I came to the club, but I was surprised by how tough it was to be honest,” said the ex-Widnes man.

“Coming from full-time back to part-time, I thought it wouldn’t have been as hard, but it has been really difficult and the lads have really surprised me.

“The obvious thing with being part-time and living in St Helens is the travelling to Barrow. That is the hardest thing of all.

“When I was full-time, I was only at Widnes, I was there from 9am until 1pm and I was done.

“Now I’m at Barrow, I’ve got to set off for training at half three to get to Barrow – but it’s one of those things you’ve got to get used to and it is just adapting to it.”

Haggerty is no stranger to Championship-level rugby, having played in the division for both Leigh and Widnes before their promotion.

He knows, therefore the standard of opposition the side will come up against, and feels Barrow have what it takes to compete when the season gets underway at the start of next month.

“There is a big difference on the pitch, but I have played at this level before – I’ve played for Leigh and I played at Widnes before I signed Super League,” he said of the drop down from Super League.

“I know the level and there are some really good players in this league who could play in Super League.

“The Barrow squad is really good. It’s young, but there is a little bit of experience mixed in between.

“There are lads who have played at this level before, so I think we will go all right – I think the mix is good.”

First published at 17:31, Monday, 21 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk