Barrow Raiders continued to build a strong spine to their squad for the 2020 season by signing up forward Jordan Walne for another two seasons.

The 26-year-old, who signed for the Raiders from Hull Kingston Rovers before the start of the year, is the latest player at Craven Park to sign a new contract, with a good number of their squad ready to make a push for promotion next year.

Walne, who can play a loose forward or in the second row was a key figure for Barrow’s pack in what was his first season with the club, making 24 appearances and scoring two tries.

However, his efforts couldn’t prevent Paul Crarey’s side from sliding towards relegation from the Betfred Championship and they eventually took their toll as a neck injury kept him out for several games towards the end of the campaign.

Rugby director Andy Gaffney said: “Jordan is a proven Championship player and has Super League experience.

“Jordan is an all-action player, who runs hard, tackles hard and can play middle edge to help us gain yardage in games.

“He has a great engine, which means he can play big minutes, and his fitness is up there with the best because he is a great professional and role model for the younger players to look up to.

“It’s fantastic to get Jordan signed up for us for two more years and I’d like to thank his agent Iestyn Harris for sorting everything once Jordan had made his mind up.

Walne began his career with Salford and had his first spell playing in Cumbria while out on dual registration with Workington Town in 2013 before going on to make 58 appearances for the Red Devils.

He then moved on to Hull KR in 2018, but he spent most of his time at the other Craven Park out on loan at York City Knights and Leigh Centurions before being released at the end of the season.

Walne is the third Raiders player this week to agree an extension to his stay at the club after full back Luke Cresswell and winger Tee Ritson had also done likewise.

Cresswell came back superbly from a long-term knee injury to become one of Barrow’s standout players during what was a difficult year, scoring seven tries in 20 games, including a hat-trick in the win at Featherstone Rovers.

He claimed a hat-trick of prizes at the Raiders’ awards night, which included being named the Club’s Player of the Year.

Although it ended with a worrying concussion, Ritson’s first season with the Raiders after his move from Newcastle Thunder proved to be an encouraging one, as he finished as their second-highest try scorer with a dozen.