A SWITCH from playing with a round ball to an oval one is reaping huge rewards for Tom Loxam after he helped Barrow Raiders to League One Cup glory in only his fourth professional game.

Andy Litherland's continuing injury meant the former Royal Marine retained his place in the starting line-up from the previous week's defeat at Toronto Wolfpack, having originally flown out to Canada as 18th man.

But it proved no problem for Loxam as he played his part in the 38-32 victory over North Wales Crusaders in Blackpool, continuing his unlikely progression in rugby league which started with him just using the sport as an excuse to get some time off while still serving in the Marines.

“I played football before I joined the Marines,” said Loxam. “The unit I was with, they were short for a competition, so to be honest it was a week off!

“I took the week off with them to play against the other units and got picked for the Marines then. From there, it was the Navy and Great Britain Armed Forces.

“I've been played rugby for about three or four years and I'm just enjoying it. I'm learning loads off Paul (Crarey) and at training. The feedback I've been given has really helped me improve, so it's good.

“I've got a few bits to improve on, but hopefully I can get there with time and experience.”

Loxam earned a contract with the Raiders after impressing during pre-season while on trial at Craven Park, having initially been recommended to head coach Paul Crarey by some of his contacts in the sport.

Despite being a relative novice, Loxam is flourishing and his inclusion in the starting line-up for the cup final in Blackpool is an indication of Crarey's confidence in him to be able to make a mark in the professional game.

Loxam modestly acknowledges he still has plenty to work before he is the finished article and finds it hard to believe he is already part of a trophy-winning team. Nonetheless, he is enjoying every minute of his new life.

“It's the same professional environment as the Marines was,” said Loxam. “A lot of the senior lads have taken me under their wing and showed me the ropes.

“I'm constantly learning and I'm looking forward to improving, to be honest, and hopefully moving forward with the club.

“All of the lads are brilliant, really professional and they've really helped me in the transition from military life to a professional sporting background.

“I'm absolutely made up for it and if you told me at the start of the season I'd be here having won the League One Cup, I wouldn't have believed you.”

Loxam was not surprised by how North Wales pushed the Raiders for the entire 80 minutes of the final and hopes the triumph stands Barrow in good stead for the rest of the season, along with giving Crarey plenty of reasons to consider keeping him in the starting 13.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game because it's a big occasion, but we'd trained well in the week and we knew if we stuck to our structures then we'd get the win,” said Loxam.

“We ground it out and the lads were brilliant. They were absolutely awesome and it's a pleasure to be part of it.

“We've got a couple of big games coming up in the next few weeks, so fingers crossed I can keep my hat in for selection and hopefully appear in those games.”