IT was another tough battle in the cold and mud last week, and a hard-earned 16-6 victory against a decent Oldham side in what is now Barrow's last pre-season friendly.

Conditions were atrocious, and both sides deserve tremendous credit for the effort they put in.

I couldn’t tell you who was man-of-the-match, as apart from a couple of Barrow players with unique profiles, you couldn’t differentiate between the team through the persistent rain standing with the penguins huddled together on the Popular Side.

The two Aussie signings must be wondering if the sun ever shines! One minute they are sunbathing on Bondi Beach, the next they are suffering from hypothermia. Don’t worry lads, there’s only four more months of this weather – be thankful it’s summer rugby.

Whitehaven have cancelled tomorrow's match at Craven Park due to illness and injuries.

It’s a pity we couldn’t get a last minute replacement, as another game would have been beneficial, and the revenue welcome, but on a positive note we have more recovery time for our first Championship game next Sunday at London Broncos.

The following week we take on the Toronto superstars at Craven Park.

They have had a few issues lately. The unexplained departure of three experienced marquee signings is one issue surrounding the club who gained promotion with Barrow last season.

The team had been warm-weather training in Portugal, and following their return home the club announced that Fuifui Moimoi, Ryan Bailey and Dave Taylor had left.

All Wolfpack officials would say was that the three players had left by mutual agreement and thanked them for their efforts.

It’s a pity that they won’t be at Craven Park, as I was really looking forward to all three getting some stick from the Popular Side. Perhaps we can sign them on?

The timing couldn’t have been worse, as Toronto play Championship favourites Leigh Centurions in their opening game.

This episode, coupled with the loss of a few stars, including club captain and League One player-of-the-year Craig Hall, Canadian international Rhys Jacks, Steve Crossley, Tom Dempsey, Shaun Pick and Sean Penkywicz (who this week signed for Workington) may have a serious impact on their Super League aspirations.

However, they still have a formidable squad, including ex-Warrington stars Ashton Sims and Joe Westerman, and half the Leigh Centurions Super League squad, apart from Whitehaven-born full-back Greg McNally, who this week signed for Bradford Bulls in League One.

Bradford have unbelievably signed a dual-registration partnership with Toronto. The combined expertise from both coaching teams of John Kear, Leigh Beattie, Paul Rowley and Brian Noble will provide a considerable advantage for both clubs.

They were due to play each other last night at Odsal, but Toronto have set up camp at the Manchester Metropolitan University's Platt Lane Sports Complex, formerly used by Manchester City. It is a facility Toronto coach Paul Rowley calls ‘fantastic’.

There is no let-up in both club's Super League ambitions, and it’s great to see, but I wonder what will happen next season if Bradford get promoted and Toronto don’t? Surely you can’t have dual-registration if both teams are in the same division?

I can’t wait for the first visit of Toronto in a fortnight.

If Barrow can maintain their unbeaten home form and play smart with strict discipline, we have every chance of gaining revenge for our two transatlantic defeats last season.

Get it in your diary – Sunday February 11, 3pm kick-off.