PAUL Crarey was pleased to see Barrow Raiders' direct approach pay off as they overcame North Wales Crusaders 28-4 in Saturday evening's Kingstone Press League One clash at Craven Park.

There was to be no repeat of the thrilling 38-32 victory for Raiders in the League One Cup final three weeks previously, but the outcome was the same as Barrow's pack were able to assert their dominance over their counterparts.

It represented a change from the fast-flowing, attacking rugby Barrow have become known for under Crarey, and while the head coach conceded it was not easy on the eye at times, he was delighted with just how effective it proved to be.

“It was just about us winning the game and taking their middle on,” said Crarey. “It wasn't pretty at times, but we did what we had to do to get the job done.

“We didn't want to play sideways on them and let the middle off like we did in Blackpool, so it was really short. We wanted to take their middle on no matter what, chip away at them and get our rewards – and we did that.

“They've scored a lot of results in recent games, got pipped by Workington the previous week when they were probably the better team for 60 minutes, so we wanted to take that side off them and dominate through the middle.

“We didn't overplay and at half-time we took the shackles off a bit, and we were on push-and-play, so it's hard to set shape and we tried to create that rather than play it. Sometimes there are a few nerves about, but we went route one and it was just about winning the game.”

Having seen them in action first-hand and studied plenty of videos of them in action, Crarey was always wary North Wales would pose more of a threat than their position in the lower reaches of the League One table might suggest.

And he praised opposite number Mike Grady as well for the way he is building a side capable of causing problem to the teams vying for a Super Eights place, along with eschewing dual-registration in the same way Barrow have.

“It's about managing these games, playing and having a different style to suit different teams,” said Crarey. “We let in one try which was probably from a poor kick from us on an edge that put them straight onto good ball.

“Apart from that, we scrambled really well, they're a very big side and I think Mike Grady has done a fantastic job with this team. They haven't got any dual-registration, he's doing it the right way and he's a great bloke as well.

“I applaud him for how he sets his team up and they're a threat to all of the sides in the top eight. I said to him if they managed the game a bit more they'd be a top-eight side and he knows that, and they'll get stronger because that group of players won't change.”

Raiders now face a potentially difficult trip to London Skolars on Saturday, where they suffered a shock defeat in a bruising encounter last year.

Crarey is expecting another stiff test for his side on the narrow confines of the pitch at the New River Stadium, although he is confident Barrow can again overcome difficult circumstances.

“We've got sides outside the top eight before we go to Whitehaven, so it's all about us now,” said Crarey. “London is a very difficult place to go to; North Wales put 50 on them, but then they go to York and get beaten 32-18.

“They're a side who give the ball and go on a small track, and they'll punish you. They're a massive team and it's always been difficult for us going there. Any win there is hard, the journey itself is hard and we've done it pretty tough this year with the fixtures.

“We've gone through that period where we've drawn one and lost one with four winnable games to go, and anything can happen in the Super Eights.”