BARROW Raiders left the pitch to an ovation from their loyal travelling support as well as the appreciative locals as they gave an excellent account of themselves in an exciting top-of-the-table encounter which saw the visitors match their hosts for much of the 80 minutes, writes PETER BIRD .

The French outfit collected the Leaders Shield and kept their unbeaten league record intact despite attempts from Barrow to upset the form book. Raiders, missing a few first-choice players due to unavailability and injury, were looking to extend their winning run to 10 games as they battled hard with early evening temperatures hitting the low 90s.

Raiders were beaten but far from disgraced or outplayed. Toulouse proved why they have been the best team in this division this season as a blistering opening half hour saw them race to a point a minute lead as the visitors struggled early doors to get a foothold in the game.

The French pressurised from the start and experienced international hooker Kane Bentley exploited the opening minutes as Barrow struggled to get to the pace of the game. The quick-thinking hooker, in a central position 10 metres from the visitors’ line, jinked left then right as defenders seemed bamboozled as Bentley touched down with ease just left of the posts.

League player of the season nominee Mark Kheirallah made the two-pointer just as he did two minutes later when it was Bentley again whose quick thinking on the last caused confusion in the Raiders defence as a kick through wasn’t dealt with and Greg White pounced on the ball to extend the lead.

A few minutes later more confusion on the Raiders right side with Bentley yet again the culprit with assistance from White who fed the speedy winger Kuni Minga to touchdown unopposed. Kheirallah made it three from three as the lead increased to 18.

Raiders coach Paul Crarey rang the changes which made an immediate difference. Nathan Mossop showed his influence as the visitors enjoyed more prolonged possession putting Toulouse under sustained pressure for the first time. Some crisp handling gave confidence to Barrow who looked slick moving forward but top defensive play from the French kept them at bay.

Raiders pressed but couldn’t penetrate and it was against the run of play when Toulouse scored their fourth try on 21 minutes with the replacement second-rower Clement Boyer forcing his way over after good work on the right from Maurel and stand-off Ford. The French crossed over again on the half-hour with the excellent Danny Hulme finding space as Barrow failed to pick up the tricky English scrum half.

Despite the 28-point deficit Raiders didn’t abandon their slick attacking principles. Toulouse looked good in defence but were unable to prevent the visitors from getting their reward on 34 minutes as good handling crossfield yet again, this time from the impressive debutant full-back Luke Cresswell finding centre Cameron Pitman whose well-timed pass found winger Eze Harper unmarked on the touchline with space to score in the right corner. Excellent goal kicking from Chris Hankinson from the touchline reduced the deficit.

Barrow enjoyed the remainder of the opening half and deservedly doubled their tally as the hooter sounded. Excellent work yet again was rewarded as Jamie Dallimore hoisted a kick to the left corner. Confusion reigned in the home defences not for the first time this season as winger Tony Maurel fumbled on his goal line.

Winger Chris Fleming recovered well to pounce on the loose ball to score the four-pointer. Another excellent conversion, this time from the left touchline from Hankinson made the scoreline more respectable at the end of a half Raiders no doubt wished would carry on.

The break didn’t affect the visitors too much as they continued to take the game to Toulouse, who became more unsettled as Raiders kept up the momentum.

More reward for the hard-working Barrow side came five minutes into the half as club legend Liam Harrison, the only survivor from the club’s previous visit to Toulouse, powered through after excellent work yet again from the influential Nathan Mossop with Andrew Dawson in support.

The lead, further reduced to only 10 points following another Hankinson goal, must have set the French nerves jangling as Raiders didn’t ease the pressure. In fact it took a moment of brilliance from Johnno Ford who hoisted a penalty kick to touch only two metres from the Raiders line from all of 60 metres out to seriously threaten the visitor’s defence.

Ford again took control centre field from the resulting play finding Kriouache whose perfect pass allowed Con Mika to stride through for the try.

Barrow came back again five minutes later with Cameron Pitman hitting the spot after more good support play from the impressive duo of Ashall and Mossop. Hankinson proved he is human and missed the conversion and that was to be the last time the Raiders would trouble the scorers.

Crarey’s men carried on in the same flamboyant style, pressing and threatening the Toulouse defence but it was the French who settled the affair on 64 minutes as Mika added his second try of the afternoon in similar fashion to his first. Kheirallah obliged with the two points.

The French still didn’t look convincing as Raiders continued to push forward. They clearly hadn’t given up as the temperatures dropped and shadows fell.

Toulouse still looked nervous even though the game was won, though a final try was added with only three minutes left on the clock as the powerful French youngster Bastien Canet used his pace and power to crash over from short range. Kheirallah finished off yet another fine performance with the final conversion.

Top entertainment for the passionate crowd to enjoy and although Toulouse were good value for the victory the 22 point scoreline didn’t do justice to the incredible effort put in by the boys from Cumbria. They will take a lot from this game as will the faithful travelling support.

The remainder of the season looks positive for Barrow who will have no fear should they have to return to the South of France or indeed if they are up against any of the play-off contenders all of whom they have overcome this season.

Toulouse Olympique : Mark Kheirallah, Tony Maurel, Bastien Ader, Greg White, Kuni Minga, Johnathan Ford, Danny Hulme, Maxime Puech, Kane Bentley, Bastien Canet, Sebastien Planas, Clément Boyer, Anthony Marion. Interchange : Mourad Kriouache, Tyla Hepi, Kala Lehausa, Con Mika. Barrow Raiders: Luke Cresswell, Eze Harper, Max Wiper, Cameron Pitman, Chris Fleming, Chris Hankinson, Jamie Dallimore; Joe Bullock, Karl Ashall, Oliver Wilkes, Liam Harrison, Brad Crellin, Anthony Bate. Interchange: Nathan Mossop, Andrew Dawson, James Duerden, Matty Holmes.