AN away win at last!

The first of the season came in the penultimate game of the season at Sheffield Eagles in front of a very poor crowd of 404, which included a bus full from Craven Park.

It is a win which ensures Barrow will finish the Championship season above the Eagles and gain a bit more prize-money.

So, congratulations to all the staff for staying focused and putting in a decent performance in a game with no serious consequences.

During this week, a number of Eagles players have been advised of their future with a significant number identified for release or transfer, which won’t bring about a positive culture in the changing room as they prepare for relegation-threatened Rochdale Hornets.

After Rochdale’s tremendous victory against Dewsbury Rams last week, victory here will almost guarantee another season in the Championship as relegation rivals Swinton Lions have to travel to in-form Batley Bulldogs.

In League One, York City Knights completed their rise from the ashes, beating Whitehaven to win the title in front of 3,223 spectators.

York chairman John Flatman and coach James Ford have a done a tremendous job over the last two seasons.

That result means Haven stay in League One and they must look for a new coach now after the departure of Carl Forster, who has been rewarded for his efforts at the Recreation Ground by been appointed Rochdale’s new coach.

This weekend, Bradford Bulls play Oldham and Doncaster play Workington Town in the play-off semi-finals.

The winners play the week after, with the losing finalists getting another bite of the cherry having to travel to either Rochdale or Swinton for the third available Championship spot.

It would be good for Bradford Bulls and Workington Town to come through from a Barrow extra gate money perspective.

The Qualifiers have been very exciting too and last week, Widnes Vikings were relegated - which is also good for the Barrow bank balance - and on Thursday night Toulouse were defeated by Salford, and remain in the Championship.

It’s looking like a London Broncos versus Toronto Wolfpack in the Million Pound Game. Personally, I hope Toronto can pull it off!

Tomorrow, its Championship Shield finalists Featherstone Rovers away for Barrow. Me and Dave Nixon will be on BBC Radio Cumbria commentary duty, and I’m looking forward to a good, competitive, entertaining match with no pressure on either side.

I was hoping Featherstone might rest a few, but they have struggled with numbers recently and don’t really have any fringe players. They were hoping to finish in the top four but lost a few important games during the normal season.

Their Chairman Mark Campbell has been very outspoken on the recent structural changes and is not the biggest fan of RFL chief Ralph Rimmer, accusing the power brokers of creating a closed shop.

Featherstone are assured of hosting Leigh Centurions in the Shield final and Barrow are safe from relegation, so this could be a rare opportunity to defeat Rovers on their own ground.