SPORTS REVIEW OF 2016: Part Four – September to December

Barrow AFC go on a remarkable unbeaten run, Barrow Raiders agonisingly miss out on promotion and Georgia Stanway is a star on the international stage

OCTOBER

BARROW AFC make it eight games unbeaten with a 0-0 draw at fellow promotion contenders Forest Green Rovers.

Paul Crarey hails gutsy Barrow Raiders as they miss out on promotion with a 32-22 League One Grand Final defeat in Toulouse.

Furness RUFC player Tez Nueto is picked for the Thailand rugby league team.

Georgia Stanway scores for England Under-17s in a 3-3 World Cup draw against South Korea in Jordan.

Captain Oliver Wilkes signs a new Barrow Raiders deal.

Barrow AFC are held to a 1-1 draw at home by Macclesfield despite taking the lead through a Danny Livesey goal.

Raiders land stand-off Lewis Charnock from Super League St Helens.

Crooklands Casuals win the Barrow and District Junior Football League Autumn Cup.

Barrow Island Under-16s stage a fightback to beat Askam 28-12 in the Barrow Youth League RL KO Cup final.

England captain Steph Houghton hails Barrow ace Georgia Stanway as a future international star.

Bluebirds centre-half Moussa Diarra is named National League Player-of-the-Month for September.

A new dawn rises at Barrow Thorns with the launch of a ladies team.

AFC sign striker Dan Cockerline and beat Maidstone United 3-0 at Holker Street.

Georgia Stanway scored twice as England Under-17s reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup with a 2-1 win over Brazil.

Raiders land Workington's Aussie ace Jarrad Stack.

A Ross Hannah hat-trick sees a youthful Barrow AFC beat Bury 4-2 in the Lancashire Senior Cup.

Ryan Fieldhouse signs a new contract at Craven Park.

Barrow AFC beat Tranmere Rovers 2-1 to reach the FA Cup first round – setting up a tie at lower-league Taunton Town.

Askam RL's promotion dream ends in heartache with a 24-23 defeat to Blackbrook in the National Conference Division Two promotion final.

Danny Morrow and Matty While pledge their futures to Barrow Raiders.

Ulverston cricket ace Megan Smith is picked for the Lancashire Thunder development squad.

Michael Brown claims victory in the Lakes Two-Day Trials.

Declan Hulme joins Barrow Raiders from Workington.

Roose Pioneers Under-12s shock Walney Central to win the Barrow Youth League KO Cup at Craven Park.

Vickerstown Under-15s beat Bispham 5-1 to reach the Lancashire Cup fourth round.

Holker Old Boys hunt for a new manager after Scott Redhead moves to Gretna.

Liam Harrison bows of of RL with his testimonial match at Craven Park. Scotland beat a Cumbria Select 48-16.

A below-par Barrow AFC salvage a 1-1 draw at Woking, but Ryan Yates leaves it late three days later as they claim a 2-2 draw at Wrexham.

Holker Old Boys Under-13s are edged out 5-4 by Fleetwood Town in the Lancashire Cup third round.

Barrow AFC claim a stunning 4-0 win over Eastleigh in front of the TV cameras at Holker Street. Byron Harrison scores a hat-trick.

Kirkby United storm past Bootle in the Terry Clinton Memorial Trophy with a 7-2 win.

NOVEMBER

BARROW Raiders continue their off-season recruitment by clinching the signing of former Warrington Wolves Academy prop Tom Walker from Workington Town.

Paul Cox is handed a boost at Barrow AFC as well as midfielder Ryan Yates extends his loan from Nottingham Forest until the new year.

Barrow and Furness Striders enjoy a successful outing in the Mid Lancs series race at Cuerden Valley, with the men taking victory in the team competition on the day.

The Evening Mail Darts competition is confirmed as returning after a seven-year absence, with the finals night set for The Nines on March 11.

Raiders chairman David Sharpe announces his shock resignation after four years in the role, citing work commitments, with joint-director of rugby and former chairman Mike Sunderland stepping in to replace him.

Barrow AFC survive Liam Hughes being sent off to earn a replay with Taunton Town in the FA Cup first round. Hughes later has his red card overturned on appeal and the Bluebirds win the replay 2-1 to set up a tie with Sky Bet League One side Bristol Rovers.

Head coach Paul Crarey and his staff agree to stay on with Barrow Raiders for 2017 and signs a new contract with the club.

A familiar face returns to Holker Old Boys as former player Brian Dawson is confirmed as the club's new manager following the departure of Scott Redhead.

Brett Carter returns to hometown club Barrow Raiders ahead of the 2017 Kingstone Press League One season, becoming the latest player to join from Cumbrian rivals Workington.

Barrow Ladies Rugby League mark their first home game for 10 years with a 26-22 victory over Huddersfield.

Hawcoat Park break new ground when they host the first full rugby union match to be played at Craven Park. The Maroon and Whites run out comfortable victors against Aspatria 48-14.

A 2-1 win over Solihull Moors sees Barrow AFC set a new club record of 15 league games without defeat thanks to goals from Moussa Diarra and Byron Harrison.

Cartmel trainer James Moffatt enjoys a double success at Musselburgh, with Mondlicht winning a maiden hurdles race and Smart Ruler triumphing in the Racing UK Now in HD! Handicap Hurdle.

Barrow AFC are dealt a blow with the news goalkeeper Joel Dixon will be out for the season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in the 3-0 win over Guiseley. Tim Erlandsson joins on loan from Nottingham Forest to cover in his absence.

DECEMBER

RYAN Johnston becomes the first player to graduate from the Furness Raiders under-19s team to the professional game after signing a three-year contract with Barrow Raiders.

Byron Harrison nets both goals as Barrow AFC down Football League side Bristol Rovers 2-1 to progress to the FA Cup third round. Their reward is a home tie with another League One side, Rochdale.

The James Moffatt-trained Highland Lodge narrowly misses out on becoming the first horse to win back-to-back renewals of the Becher Chase, finishing second to Vieux Lion Rouge.

Barrow and Furness Striders' Ross Campbell takes second in the Christmas Pudding 10k in Ulverston, with defending champion Dave Fulford, of host club Hoad Hill, third. The race is won by Ellenborough AC's Mark Walsh.

Barrow Raiders continue to strengthen ahead of the 2017 Kingstone Press League One season as forward Andrew Dawson agrees a new contract.

Cartmel is confirmed as one of 14 courses north of Doncaster which will host rounds of the British Horseracing Authority's new Northern Lights jumps racing series.

South Cumbrian speedway riders Adam Roynon, of Dalton, and Rob Shuttleworth, of Askam, agree deals to ride for Workington Comets in the Championship in 2017.

Former Barrow Raiders players Gary Broadbent, Jamie Marshall and Carl Sice, plus Askam amateur Tom Butler, join the Bulldogs team to compete in the Dubai International Veterans 10s, helping the side finish as Plate competition runners-up.

Chris Fleming is the latest Raiders player to agree a new deal with the club, having revealed he was close to quitting the sport for personal reasons earlier in the year.

Barrow AFC eventually overcome Harrogate Town after extra-time in their FA Trophy first round replay. Akil Wright gets two goals as the Bluebirds win 4-2 at home, having been held to a 3-3 draw in the original tie.

Bradd Crellin sets his sights on securing a regular starting spot at Barrow Raiders after agreeing a new contract, with Andy Litherland and Bradd Crellin also inking new deals. Jamie Dallimore – already under contract for 2017 – extends his deal for a further year, keeping him at Craven Park until at least the end of the 2018 season.

British Olympic weightlifter Sonny Webster delights the members of Cumbria Strength and Conditioning in Dalton during an all-day seminar at the gym.

Max Wiper is confirmed as needing surgery on a long-standing medial ligament injury, with the Barrow Raiders centre set to miss the first three months of the season.

Raiders get their pre-season campaign underway against a Barrow and District Select side, running out 92-4 winners at Craven Park.

Barrow AFC's unbeaten run stands at 25 matches following a 1-1 draw at Boreham Wood in the National League. Byron Harrison secures a point after netting from the penalty spot.

Hawcoat Park reach the Christmas break in the North Lancs/Cumbria League season sitting fifth and two points off second following a 17-3 win at Upper Eden. Furness finish the first part of the Cumbria League One season with a 27-12 victory over Windermere.

Mark Daly boosts Furness CC ahead of the 2017 North Lancs League Premier Division season by returning to the club from Lindal Moor. Cumberland batsman Sam Dutton also joins.

Barrow AFC extend their unbeaten run to a staggering 26 games in all competitions. The Bluebirds have to settle for a point after a 0-0 draw with Gateshead at Holker Street, but the result lifts them to fourth place in the National League table.