PAUL Crarey believes Barrow Raiders' experiences in the Kingstone Press League One Super Eights will stand them in good stead if they achieve promotion to the Championship.

Crarey is impressed with what he has seen on television from second-tier sides London Broncos and Featherstone Rovers in the Qualifiers against Super League outfits Catalans Dragons and Leigh Centurions respectively.

And with Barrow having had to grind out wins against Whitehaven and Doncaster in their first two Super Eights matches, the head coach feels his players have seen of what it is like week in, week out in the division above.

"The Eights is like cup football and this is what it's like when you go up to the Championship – and there are better sides in the Championship," said Crarey.

"We're not at that level yet, but these games help you prepare to go to that level because this is what it's like when you get there and more. It's about grinding out results and last Sunday was about grinding.

"But we got the win (against Doncaster), that's all that matters and we move onto Newcastle this week."

The Raiders defeated Newcastle Thunder 50-6 at Kingston Park on Good Friday, with the hosts having a man sent off that day as well.

But Crarey expects Jason Payne's side to be a much different proposition as they seek to rebound from loses to Hunslet, Workington Town and Whitehaven.

"Newcastle on Saturday is on an artificial surface and a quick track we like to play on, and Newcastle will be looking for a win after three successive defeats," said Crarey.

"Confidence in their camp will be pretty low, but they can play and we've seen if they get a roll on, they play quick on that track and score points, so we've got to prepare for that."