Barrow Raiders 24 Batley Bulldogs 16

The final hooter sounded as Barrow completed their only double of the season, to the tune from the PA System of the Dave Clarke Fives hit 'Glad All Over.'

Yes, it is glad to be all over for what has been a trying season for the Raiders in the Championship but to go to Batley on the opening day and to round off the season with the same opposition and record two wins is something to cheer about.

It was not a classic, but not so much of a dead rubber with nothing to play for as both teams worked their socks off for victory.

Alec Susino, in what could have been his last outing for the Raiders, put in a fine all-round performance, playing 78 minutes until coming off, and it was his 52nd0minute try that saw the home side to victory.

Barrow went ahead as early as the second minute after Don Brambani's kick-off failed to go the required ten yards. From the tap, Barrow moved swiftly downfield and the gap appeared for Deon Cross to nip through and score, Jamie Dallimores kick sailed wide.

Batley settled into the game and a fine break from Niall Walker allowed Lewis Galbraith to head for the line for seemingly a certain try, but Tom Loxam trailed him and pulled off a magnificent tackle. The pressure mounted, though, which resulted in Brambani going in from close range, he also tagged on the goal to put the Bulldogs 6-4 ahead.

On 16 minutes, following a skirmish, Galbraith and Jarrad Stack were both sin-binned. Barrow then drew level when Danny Morrow was taken high under the Batley posts and Dallimore kicked the goal

But their joy was short lived when on the final tackle a stab through rebounded off a home player and first to re-act was Alastair Leak, who dotted the ball down, Brambani added the goal.

It was nip and tuck, with play end to end, and on 26 minutes it was all square as Puara scrambled over, with Dallimore's touchline goal sailing high and over.

Within three minutes, fellow PNG international Amean shot in after good approach work enabled Stack to send the centre in at the corner. Dallimore's kick was again high and clean.

With five minutes of the half remaining, the Bulldogs reduced the arrears again by a rebound off a Barrow player and in nipped Paul Brealey to score, Brambani missed goal making it 18-16 at half-time

Twelve minutes into the half, Susino burried his way over by the posts for Dallimore to convert and extend the lead to eight points. Dallimore did go over, only for crossing in the build up to be ruled.

Batley refused to give up the chase as Butterworth was held short and from the play the ball, Gledghill went over only to bounce the ball.

Louis Jouffret was almost in at the corner but great defending pushed him into touch. Another chance went begging for the Bulldogs when after Brambani gained a tap from a 40-20, Butterworth drove for the line and lost the ball as Barrow held out.

Barrow Raiders: Cresswell, Ford, Amean, Cross, Ritson, Dallimore, White, Susino, Puara, Duffy, Morrow, Stack, Loxam.

Interchange: J Carter, Séguier, Riley, Hulme.

Tries: Cross (2), Puara(26), Amean (29), Susino (52),

Goals Dallimore (4)

Batley Bulldogs: Jouffret, Reittie, Walker, Galbraith, Yates, Brambani, Gledhill, Leak, Taira, Tomlinson, Brearly, Wood.

Interchange: Bienek, Butterworth, Everett, Ward.

Tries: Brambani (10), Leak (20), Brearley (35)

Goals Brambani (2)

Referee: Tom Crashley

Attendance: 1,214

Raiders star man: Alec Susino