WITH a much better performance than last time, Barrow Raiders came away from Canada with their heads held high.

Apart from conceding three tries in a 10-minute spell midway through the second half, Barrow matched Toronto Wolfpack all the way and the 26-2 scoreline flattered the League One champions.

Congratulations to Paul Rowley and his players; there wasn’t much doubt they would be promoted considering how much money they spent on recruitment.

The Championship will be much more competitive, but I’m sure Toronto CEO Eric Perez will splash the cash, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Wolfpack win through to the Super Eights and gain promotion to Super League at the first attempt.

Hull Kingston Rovers won promotion back to the Super League with a fabulous interception try from ex-Raider Ryan Shaw to seal victory against Widnes Vikings – that means that there will definitely be a Super League team relegated; one of Leigh Centurions, Widnes or Catalan Dragons.

We can now focus on promotion, and in simple terms we are just three home victories from joining Toronto in the Championship.

What a difference it will make to revenue playing the likes of Catalan Dragons, Toulouse Olympique, London Broncos, Featherstone Rovers, Halifax and Toronto – but what about the air miles?

Tomorrow at Craven Park, it’s our old sparring partners Keighley Cougars for the fifth time this season.

We have beaten them on every occasion, but every game was competitive and Keighley were thrown a semi-final lifeline last week when Doncaster fluffed their lines at home to Newcastle Thunder.

In their two games prior to the comprehensive 28-6 victory over Workington Town, Keighley were defeated heavily and coach Craig Lingard publicly called them “pathetic”, so something stirred and that win has put them only one point behind Doncaster, who are in Canada tonight.

I can’t see the Dons adding to their points tally, therefore Keighley have something to play for, but they must beat Barrow to snatch fifth.

If they don’t, and Newcastle win at York, then it will be Newcastle visiting Craven Park next week in the semi-final. If York win, it will be Doncaster.

We can afford to lose against Keighley (providing we don’t lose heavily and Whitehaven don’t massacre Workington at Derwent Park) to maintain second spot, as we have a plus-79 superior points difference. But we can’t take the chance – victory guarantees second.

The other semi-final should be Whitehaven versus York. Last week Haven soundly beat the City Knights in a dress rehearsal 26-16, so are looking good to get to the final.

However, York coach James Ford suggested his side’s defeat will have little bearing on the semi-final rematch and he slated Carl Forster’s men for “milking penalties”. York had quite a few regulars missing also, so Ford is pretty confident of success, as he always is.

A Barrow versus Whitehaven final is the most likely outcome, and what a match that will be. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. It’s time for total focus and calm, and we must take one game at a time.

Let’s do a professional job on Keighley and then we can prepare for a one-off cup tie encounter, where the losers exit the competition.

It will be interesting to see who plays tomorrow, as I think coach Paul Crarey has a few selection problems, which is good in keeping everyone on their toes.

Several players couldn’t travel to Canada for various reasons – particularly in the back division – and we will see if Ryan Fieldhouse, Brett Carter, Declan Hulme and Shane Toal get their places back after Barrow’s impressive display last week, with Luke Cresswell man-of-the-match.

Craven Park has become a fortress; unbeaten at home all season, the club needs and deserves your support more than ever. See you there.