Barrow Raiders fall to home defeat against Featherstone Rovers, despite second-half rally

Barrow Raiders gave themselves too much to do in the second half, as their winless run extended to the full dozen with Featherstone Rovers showing a clinical edge that their hosts just couldn’t match.

The Raiders found themselves 22-0 down at half-time after Featherstone had cut through them from almost every set they had in the first 40 minutes, building what was always going be an unassailable lead.

Admittedly, the home side restored some pride after the break, as they tightened up both in defence and attack and scored well-taken tries through the returning Jono Smith and Jarrad Stack.

The nature of their second-half display means they’ll head to Halifax next week with plenty to build on, but with no sign of their injury crisis easing, with Josh Johnson and Shane Toal the latest on the casualty list.

Barrow began the match on the front foot, with Alec Susino being stopped just shot of the line after three minutes, before Stargroth Amean was stripped of the ball from their next promising attack.

But their defence was breached from Featherstone’s first foray into their territory as Dane Chisholm popped a pass out left to Brad Day, who forced his way over despite the attentions of Toal, with Chisholm adding the goal.

A penalty for a late tackle then led to Rovers, who were making ground all too easily, adding their second try after 12 minutes, as Chisholm dabbed a kick through and Leeds loanee Alex Sutcliffe grounded the ball.

Raiders were still getting their chances, with both Jordan Walne and Jamie Dallimore being held up in trying to force their way over the try line.

The visitors, on the other hand, were coming away with points every time they crossed Barrow’s 20-metre line and struck again when Cameron King went through gaping hole to score under the posts.

It was getting easier for Featherstone, who had a fourth try after just 28 minutes, as Chisholm received the ball close to the line and sauntered over as the margin stretched to 22-0.

Barrow still couldn’t register on the scoreboard as half-time approach, as Stack became the latest home player to be held up over the line. But they were finally able to cross the whitewash ten minutes into the second half, as a great long pass from Nathan Mossop found Dallimore in space and his quick ball sent Smith clear, with Dallimore adding the extras.

However, silly mistakes meant they weren’t able to build on that, as Tee Ritson senselessly ran across his own posts before his panicked off-load was knocked-on by Luke Cresswell.

But with 12 minutes left, the Raiders gave themselves a glimmer of a chance as Stack took Dallimore’s chip towards the right wing to go over, with Dallimore’s goal reducing the gap to ten points.

It was certainly a spirited finish, but Featherstone still had the final word as Chisholm pounced on a loose pass from Smith and had went clear for his second of the afternoon off the last play.

Barrow Raiders: Ritson, S Toal, Cross, Amean, Spedding, Dallimore, Johnston, Susino, Puara, Walne, Smith, Stack, Charnock.

Interchange: Mossop, Walker, Johnston, Crellin.

Tries: Smith 50, Stack 67

Goals: Dallimore (2)

Featherstone Rovers: Golding, Render, Sutcliffe, Hardcastle, Carey, Chisholm, Makatoa, Wheeldon, King, Bussey, Day, Walters, Lockwood

Interchange: Holmes, Cooper, Ormondroyd, Harrison

Tries: Day 6, Sutcliffe 12, King 23, Chisholm 28, 80

Goals: Chisholm (3)

Referee: Jack Smith

Attendance: 1,277

Raiders star man: Jono Smith