Barrow Raiders 50 Bradford Bulls 6

They took their time in getting going, but Barrow Raiders produced a much better second half performance against a much-changed Bradford Bulls to reach the quarter finals of the 1895 Cup.

Against what was the youngest line-up Bradford have ever fielded in a competitive game, the Raiders found themselves 6-4 behind at the break after an error-strewn first period.

However, they were a completely different force after the restart, as they scored 46 unanswered points to reach the half-century for the second game running, with Jamie Dallimore claiming a personal haul of 22 points.

It was under-strength Bradford who had the first scoring opportunity and it’s one they should have taken when Joe Brown knocked on near the try line in trying to force a pass.

The game was struggling for fluency and it was a slack opening from the Raiders in particular as they coughed up possession on several occasions with some careless handling errors.

The Bulls then opened the scoring with a try that summed up the home side’s befuddled performance to that point as Stargroth Amean couldn’t deal with a kick towards the posts. Waiting to pounce was Cobi Green and with Alix Stephenson adding the conversion, the visitors were 6-0 ahead after 23 minutes.

There was then more frustration for Barrow as Tee Ritson had a try disallowed due to obstruction from Danny Morrow, but they finally broke through in the 32nd minute.

A strong carry from Tom Walker led to him off-loading to Nathan Mossop, whose quick pass allowed Alec Susino to go through a gap to score, although Dallimore’s kick hitting the post meant the Raiders were still behind.

The Raiders finally hit the front in the third minute of the second half as Jono Smith crashed his way through to score under the posts and a third try quickly followed as Smith’s long pass gave Brett Carter a walk-in.

This match was at last starting to run to script and the hosts were in again in the 50th minute as Dallimore wandered towards the right before picking out Jarrad Stack, who stepped past his man to go over.

A peach of a score then followed as a popped pass sent Smith sprinting into space from halfway and he timed his pass for Dan Toal, who stepped away from two tacklers to go under the posts.

The result was no longer in doubt, but Barrow didn’t let up, with Jake Spedding receiving sprinting clear of the Bradford defence after receiving the ball just inside the opposition half to get in on the act.

Dallimore then did likewise with an easy run-in to the line past a wilting Bulls before Stack’s quick pass allowed Cross to push Raiders through the 40-point mark. There was still time for Dallimore, who also kicked seven goals, to claim his second of the night, as he received the ball from Spedding, who had followed up his half-back’s kick.

Barrow Raiders: Ritson, B Carter, Stack, Amean, Cross, Dallimore, Puara, Johnson, Mossop, Walne, Smith, Morrow, Aspinwall.

Interchange: Spedding, Walker, D Toal, Susino.

Tries: Susino 33, Smith 43, B Walker 46, Stack 50, D Toal 59, Spedding 70, Dallimore 74, 80, Cross 78

Goals: Dallimore (6)

Bradford Bulls: Brown, Stephenson, Culling, Butterworth, Rickett, Pickersgill, Green, Bustin, Doyle, Margin, Roche, Gallagher, Scurr.

Interchange: Foster, Lightowler, Berry, O’Hanlon.

Tries: Green 23

Goals: Stephenson

Referee: James Child

Attendance: 1,161

Raiders star man: Jono Smith