Barrow Raiders' coach Paul Crarey has praised the resolve of his players after turning around a half-time deficit to win decisively against a strong Widnes side.

Raiders beat Widnes Vikings at the Summer Bash in Leeds in a closely-fought 36-24.

Crarey said: "It is an important victory. Their backs are the best and we have come back from 16-6 down to win it.

"We were looking at the scoreline and said at half time we just have to keep playing to win.

"It gives us a bit of breathing space now."

The action-packed result means in-form Raiders continue to be in the running for the all-important play-offs. Crarey said he was proud of the team and they came out of it ‘bruised and battered’.

He also said it was a good entertaining game for the public. 

He said: "It wasn’t for the purist but we had enough to win the game.

"It was a good match for the public but for the coaches it was a pretty loose game. I am so proud of the fellas. We have come out bruised, battered and busted but got the win against an in-form team."

The outcome of yesterday’s match at Headingley was closely fought and the eventual result was uncertain until Tee Ritson scored his second try just three minutes from the end.

In response to a question about officiating, Crarey said: "There were some strange decisions but hopefully they got it right. We will review the game in terms of decisions.

"I thought Sammut's [offence] was not sin bin and I thought their prop – what else could he do? He has to reach out and caught him around the shoulder so that isn't a sin bin either.

"Sammut isnt a dirty player – and the prop for them was solid all day and didn’t deserve it either.

"I think if it was a normal Championship game between Widnes and Barrow, that probably doesn’t happen, but on the big screen it looks worse than it is."