BARROW Raiders will host Newcastle Thunder in the Kingstone Press League One play-off semi-finals a week today after they made certain of second place with a 32-18 victory over Keighley Cougars this afternoon.

Barring a huge points difference swing against them, the Raiders were already on course for the runners-up spot going into this game, with tries from Nathan Mossop, Shane Toal Tom Walker, Joe Bullock and Lewis Charnock helping them see off familiar opponents Keighley to confirm it.

Conversley, the visitors needed to win to sneak into the play-offs, but were thwarted. Instead, it was Newcastle who took the final spot thanks to a 26-24 victory at York City Knights – setting up a trip to Craven Park in the semis.

Barrow could hardly have asked for a better start, taking the lead in the second minute when Nathan Mossop went over under the posts with a trademark scoot from dummy-half after Lewis Charnock – who added the extras – had been tackled just short of the line.

It then needed a try-saving tackle from Joe Bullock to prevent Keighley winger Andy Gabriel hitting back soon after, but two consecutive drop-outs did lead to the visitors getting back on level terms in the 11th minute when retiring prop Neil Cherryholme barged his way over for his first try since 2015.

Ill-discipline started to prove costly for the Cougars though and Charnock was able to edge the Raiders further ahead on 24 minutes with a penalty kick from 20 metres out – only to miss with another shot at goal six minutes later.

Nevertheless, Barrow did extended their advantage before the half-time hooter sounded and it was thanks to the superb vision of winger Toal, who picked up a kick 65 metres out and ghosted through the Keighley defence to score under the posts and give Charnock a simple conversion.

Prop Walker then drove over for the Raiders' third try 10 minutes after the restart – Jamie Dallimore converting this time.

But Keighley made the most of being given the benefit of the doubt by referee Nick Bennett when a short kick-off appeared to not go the full 10 metres three minutes later. Davey Dixon had the ball knocked back to him from a high kick close to the try-line and snapped it up to score, followed by Beherrall adding the two points.

Barrow surged further in front nine minutes later though when player of the year Bullock burrowed his way over from close range and Dallimore converted, followed by Charnock taking an offload from Ollie Wilkes and racing over for another converted score on 70 minutes.

Gabriel did manage a converted consolation try for Keighley two minutes from time, but it mattered little to the Raiders as they secured home advantage for both the semi-final and a potential final, along with maintain their record of not being beaten on their own patch in 2017.

Barrow Raiders: Ryan Fieldhouse; Brett Carter, Tom Loxam, Declan Hulme, Shane Toal; Jamie Dallimore, Lewis Charnock; Joe Bullock, Nathan Mossop, Ollie Wilkes, Bradd Crellin, Danny Morrow, Martin Aspinwall. Interchange: Dan Toal, Karl Ashall, Tom Walker, James Duerden.

Keighley Cougars: Ritchie Hawkyard; Davey Dixon, Hamish Barnes, Adam Ryder, Andy Gabriel; Liam Darville, Matty Beharrell; Neil Cherryholme, James Feather, Matthew Bailey, Ben Sagar, Josh Tonks, Michael Emmett. Interchange: Harry Aaronson, Scott Law, Brendon Rawlins, Brad Nicholson.

Referee: Nick Bennett.