Former Barrow Raiders forward Joe Bullock was involved in a thrilling encounter at the other Craven Park last Sunday, as Wigan Warriors snatched a dramatic 19-18 victory against Hull Kingston Rovers.

The match was settled by a late drop goal by Sam Powell, while it also featured Barrovian Ryan Shaw, who converted all three of Hull KR’s tries.

It was the first game in charge of the home side for former England coach Tony Smith and his new club fought back admirably from a 14-6 half-time deficit, after George Williams, Dan Sarginson and Joe Burgess had all struck for the Warriors.

Hull KR had replied through Jimmy Keinhorst’s intercept try and they scored through Will Dagger and Ryan Lannon in the second half to eventually level the match at 18-18 before Powell’s late intervention.

Smith said: “It was close. There’s lots to learn from it, we can improve in a number of areas but all I wanted to gauge today was effort and it was great.

“We had an opportunity to turn over Wigan, the difference was a 45-metre drop goal. It was a fantastic kick. We had a try disallowed and it would have been interesting to have had a video referee.”

Two other players from the area came head-to-head last Sunday in London Broncos v St Helens, which brought about the shock result of the season in English rugby league’s top flight.

London went into the match bottom of the table and faced with a Saints side six points clear at the top, but they turned the form table upside down thanks to a golden point drop goal by Morgan Smith, which gave the hosts a 23-22 victory.

Former Barrow Island forward Morgan Knowles featured from the start for St Helens, who lost for just the second time this season, while Urswick’s Greg Richards was an interchange for the Broncos, who are now level on points with Hull KR.

Barrow’s Brad Singleton helped Leeds Rhinos to an important 10-0 away victory at Wakefield Trinity in a match played in atrocious conditions last Friday. Tui Lolohea bagged the only of the contest.

Meanwhile, in League One, Barrow Island’s Blain Marwood made his semi-professional debut for Workington Town and marked it by scoring one of their ten tries as they thrashed West Wales Raiders 58-12 on their own patch.