Barrow Raiders head coach Paul Crarey believes young half-back Ryan Johnston is finding his feet in a pivotal position, following some promising performances during pre-season so far.

Johnston has been named as the sponsors’ man of the match in the two friendlies the Raiders have played; the narrow 22-18 loss against Oldham and last Sunday’s 24-16 win against North Wales Crusaders.

He has also shown his versatility during those games by filling in at hooker, with Wartovo Puara and Nathan Mossop unavailable, and it’s from that position where he scored an opportunistic try in the opening tune-up against the Roughyeds.

With Jamie Dallimore, Lewis Charnock, and also Ben White and Jake Carter. picked ahead of him at times last season, Johnston had to be patient for his chances, but the signs are there that the Furness Raiders graduate is ready to really step up this year.

Crarey said: “It takes about two of three seasons to find your feet, to feel as though you belong, to play the sort of rugby you feel comfortable with and be ready for it.

“People want it straight away and it will never happen straight away when you sign, like with Luke Cresswell, it took him a year or so to settle down.

“Ryan has had a little longer but he’s in a different position. He’s in a half-back position, so he’s starting to find his feet.

“I thought he did really well against North Wales because he was playing at half, then he goes into the middle and gets some traffic at him and we gave him seven or eight minutes off the field to give him that rest before sending him back on. I’m really pleased with how he’s come through it.”

Johnston will have to wait until next week for the chance to impress again. by which time Puara will be back in the country, meaning he can concentrate on his strongest position when Workington Town come to Craven Park next Sunday.

With no game to prepare for this weekend, it gives Crarey and his staff a chance to work really hard on some of the areas of their game where the Raiders still need to get up to speed.

The squad will however, get some respite at the end of the week before making their final preparations for the campaign ahead against their Cumbrian rivals.

Crarey said: “We’ll be going hard in training this week before giving them the weekend off and going hard again in leading up to the Workington game.

“For a lot of the travelling lads, it’s difficult for them and it will help us down the track if we give them the weekend off.”