Last updated at 19:15, Monday, 06 August 2012

BARROW Raiders coach Darren Holt is gearing up for the crunch visit up the coast after seeing his side strengthen their grip on top spot in rugby league’s Championship One title race with a 42-16 destruction of bogey club Oldham.

TRY FOR RY: Barrow’s Ryan Shaw races clear for one of his four touchdowns HARRY ATKINSON REF: 50036992B002

“It is a Cumbrian derby so it is going to be tough. It looks as though that could be a championship decider – but I am also looking forward to an enjoyable afternoon,” said the former Workington half-back.

With Workington’s visit to Gateshead called off yesterday because of the wet weather, Holt is not worried by the fact that Town will have had a week’s rest ahead of the big game.

“Sometimes it works in your favour, sometimes it doesn’t. But we don’t have to worry about what they are up to. We have to look after ourselves so we will have a big week ahead and regroup.

“There is still stuff to work on ahead of the game at Workington.

“We have to be happy with the score today. Putting 40-odd points on a team who have beaten us twice this season is something to be happy about.

“I think you could sum up the game by saying that it was an excellent first half but not so good second.

“But if you had given us that score before the game we would have taken it.”

As for the second half – a clear dip in performance by the Raiders – he explained it away as a lapse in concentration.

“When you are so far ahead, players tend to think the game is done and dusted and start doing their own thing.”

Fortunately, Holt, who decided to rest the likes of Chris Larkin and one or two other regulars, did not pick up any extra injuries and expects to be able to take a full-strength team to Derwent Park.

There was more good news for Raiders from up the coast as Whitehaven defeated Barrow’s title rivals Doncaster 25-18, a result which leaves Holt’s men four points clear.

First published at 16:14, Monday, 06 August 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk