LUKE Cresswell may not have expected to be getting so much playing time in the opening weeks of the 2017 season, but there can be little doubt the Barrow Raiders prospect is seizing his opportunity.

Having already been given a taste of what professional rugby was all about in the Super Eights game away to Toulouse Olympique last year, the former Barrow Island amateur was handed further chances to impress during the pre-season matches.

Such were his displays in those encounters that Raiders head coach Paul Crarey had few qualms about handing him a start when Brett Carter and Chris Fleming were struck down by injury, and few would argue Cresswell has more than justified that faith in him so far.

“I didn't really know how it was going to pan out this year,” said Cresswell. “The aim was just to train hard and wait for my chance. I trusted the coaches to give me a chance when it came and I feel glad that I've got it.

“I had it in pre-season and felt that I did all right, and hopefully I can keep in the side and keep working hard. It's a long season, so everyone will have time out, but I'm looking forward to it.

“It's been going really well. Obviously a few injuries to our outside backs helped me get a bit of game-time, but I feel like I've enjoyed being part of the group.

“It's a great group to be a part of, especially when we are winning as well, and everyone is like a big family.”

Although primarily a full-back, it is on the wing where Cresswell has been making a name for himself this year in the absence of Carter and Fleming – the former currently week-to-week with some swelling on his knee and the latter nursing a back injury.

He already has two tries to his name, which came away to Rochdale Mayfield in the League One Cup and in last Saturday's Kingstone Press League One opener at home to York City Knights, and has shown his ability in defence as well.

But while Cresswell admits it has taken some adjustment being back in the wide position, he is enjoying the opportunity to learn more about the role and develop the ability to be comfortable in more than one position.

“It's obviously a bit different and the last time I played on the wing was probably in my trial games with Barrow,” said Cresswell. “A whole year at full-back, you're in the line and having to drop back, so I have had to change a bit.

“I'm still finding things where I need to improve – Paul will pick it up on the tape! – but I can only improve by playing and that's why it's great to play.

“I didn't really expect it to go this well so far, but it has. Hopefully once the grounds get a bit harder, I can start showing a bit more of what I'm about.”

The competition from Carter and Fleming when they return to full fitness is driving Cresswell to keep improving and retain his place in the team, while he is also picking up plenty from the players around him.

Full-back Ryan Fieldhouse is the obvious person for him to look to, but the likes of Ollie Wilkes, Martin Aspinwall, Jamie Dallimore and Lewis Charnock also serve as inspiration for both him and the other up-and-coming Barrow players.

“He (Fieldhouse) does talk to me, but he teaches me by what he does, how he plays, how he performs and how he plays,” said Cresswell. “He doesn't particularly need to say much, but if I watch him I'm learning. He's got experience and it's brilliant to have him there.

“It's the same with the lads in the pack and their experience. We've got Ry, we've got Ollie, we've got Aspy, Dalli and Lewis, and all of the young lads have got someone to look up to and show them the way.”

Both Cresswell and his team-mates are aiming to continue their strong start when they travel to Coventry Bears for the first League One away game of the season, having already beaten the same opponents in a pre-season friendly at Craven Park.

Cresswell, who started that game, knows the Bears will be no pushovers despite that 36-18 win. However, he knows the Raiders should still come out on top if they approach the game in the same way they did last week's 28-0 victory over York.

“They were probably better than we thought they were going to be,” saidd Cresswell, reflecting on the Coventry friendly. “We know it's going to be tough, but we'll go there with the same attitude we went into the York game with and we'll go as hard as possible.

“The biggest thing we'll take from the York game is our defence. We had six sets on our own line and we didn't crack. When they dropped the ball on the sixth set, we celebrated like we'd scored a try because it was probably better than scoring a try.

“We've done so much work on defence in pre-season and we showed we're fit. Nilling York, who are probably one of the best teams in the league, shows how much we have come along.”