“WHAT a brilliant result. The players all deserve a big pat on the back” was the verdict of Barrow Raiders coach Paul Crarey after his side started their Super-8 campaign with a 34-12 victory over Rochdale Hornets.

“We are not getting carried away but I thought that was a brilliant performance. I thought we dominate the game until the point when Danny Morrow got sent off.

“Across the board – one to 17 – they pulled together. We talked in the changing room before the game about where we have come from.

“We have met adversity and problems but we have stuck together. We were all out there together as a group.

“We showed that a champion team can beat a team of champions.

“We were good across the park. It was just what was wanted after comments this week that we were a team of under achievers.

“But we have to remember that we haven’t won a cup or anything. This is just one game in a group of seven – but we have put up a good performance on the back of three other good performances.

“We worked really hard on fitness and defence over the last three weeks and I am glad it showed.

“I didn’t think Rochdale played particularly well. We found their weaknesses and the sign of a good team is that it can exploit weaknesses.

“Our senior players were outstanding through the middle but I couldn’t single anyone out. It was just a great team performance.

“We were magnificent across the board and carried out to the letter the way I wanted us to play. Now we have got to recover our bruised and battered bodies.

“We go to Doncaster next weekend and they didn’t play today so their bodies will be in a better shape than ours.”