Raiders relax before the “big bang”
Last updated at 14:18, Friday, 06 July 2012
A WEEK of recuperation and reconnaissance awaits Barrow Raiders ahead of their top-of-the-table Championship One clash with Doncaster.
Only North Wales and Gateshead are in action in the league this weekend, with the other eight sides having a gap in their fixtures.
Barrow coach Darren Holt intends to use that time well, both to help his few injury worries recover and to allow his side to get to know the side they are set go head-to-head against next.
“Hopefully by the time we travel down to Doncaster – which is a big, big game – we will be somewhere near full strength and good to go,” said Holt, of the match which pits his table-toppers against the third-placed Dons.
“It gives us an extra week, that extra time to do a bit of homework, do a bit of research, design and gear the way we are going to play against them and get that into the players.
“It’s the same for them as well.
“It’s a week off before the big bang, but we are looking forward to going down there.
“I’ve been there before and struggled down there – it’s their home ground and they will be looking for a win, but we will be looking at that game and we know if we can come away with a positive result and get the win, then we are doing ourselves a lot of good for both getting promoted and also finishing on top of the league.”
Last week. Holt made numerous changes to his Barrow side to recognise the small nature of the pitch at London Skolars.
That plan eventually worked as Raiders came from behind to win 30-17, but the surface at the Keepmoat next week will be the polar opposite and Holt knows the game will be far more expansive than that in the capital.
He added: “It is a big match and the one thing about Doncaster, is that their ground will probably suit both teams. It’s a very, very wide pitch. We like a wide pitch and they like a wide pitch.
“They have got a very big forward pack and we know how they are going to play.”
l Barrow Raiders are now taking bookings for the supporters’ coach to Doncaster next Sunday.
Coaches will leave Walney Promenade at 9.15am and places cost £13 for adults and £11 for children aged 14 and under. Bookings can be made at the Rugby Shop, Scott Street, Barrow.
First published at 13:42, Friday, 06 July 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
Have your say
Huge game which result will go along way in telling us who are to be crowned Champions, very little recovery before we face a fresh Haven a few short days after, 4 pts minimum would be nice, 6 would be huge.
Posted by Baz Eye on 6 July 2012 at 15:18