BARROW Raiders will not play again this month after the Rugby Football League announced they would be suspending the season until April 3 due to the worsening coronavirus pandemic.

Although the Raiders themselves didn’t have a game last weekend, rugby fixtures continued largely as normal, as three Super League matches took place, as well as eight Coral Challenge Cup ties and a multitude of games at amateur level.

However, following government advice to avoid large public gatherings, the RFL have changed their stance and have postponed matches at all levels - from Super League to the ‘community game’ - for the next couple of weeks.

That not only affects Barrow but the eight amateur clubs in the area: Barrow Island, Askam, Millom, Walney Central, Dalton, Ulverston, Roose Pioneers and Roose Pioneers.

A joint statement from Robert Elstone, executive chairman of Super League Europe, and Ralph Rimmer, CEO of the RFL said: “These are unprecedented times and they present significant financial and commercial implications for rugby league which will be further considered during the period of suspension.

“Player welfare and maintaining the integrity of the competition are key concerns moving forward. Equally our responsibilities to rugby league communities remain front of mind for all of us.

“The whole country is facing major challenges and the support of our fans, partners and stakeholders is needed now more than ever before.”

As things stand, the Raiders’ next match won’t be until their Good Friday clash against Cumbrian rivals Workington Town at Craven Park.

Their head coach Paul Crarey believes the decision was inevitable, saying: “I think it’s a good decision. There’s a lot of uncertainty around the game and we have people whose wives are working as nurses, like Carl Forster.

“It’s a pretty serious thing that’s going on and it’s all about people’s safety.

“Everyone will get the game back together but it’s about people’s health and I’ve got relatives and family who have had asthma and chest problems, and stuff, as well, so if anybody picks it up it’s going to be devastating for a lot of people, so that’s the most important thing.

“We’re probably the last to fall in line, really, so I think it was coming and I think everyone knew that it was coming.

“It’s just about how long it goes on for now and it’s going to put a lot of pressure on the clubs. We’re going to train through because it looks like we’ll be going again in April but at the moment that’s not certain.”