BARROW RAIDERS cruised into the fifth round of the Betfred Challenge Cup at the expense of Rochdale Hornets at Spotland.

Appearing for the first time this season was Jarrod Sammut, while Shane Toal and Tom Hopkins bot successfully returned from injuries.

Toal marked his return with a hat-trick of tries – his third a remarkable 95-yard interception.

And it was the returning Hopkins who opened the scoring on six minutes with a well-earned try, but the former Askam forward handed a try on the plate for the home side when he lost possession close to his own line on the half hour mark.

Hornets capitalised with Joe Taira back on the field following a spell in the sin bin touching down by the posts for Lewis Sheridan to convert.

Barrow took the game to the Hornets and went ahead after Rangi Chase had lost the ball in the tackle. Tee Ritson swooped parting to Josh Woods and Hopkins on his shoulder charged over the line, Ryan Shaw tagged on the goal 0-6.

Hornets came back with good play, but on three occasions dropped balls proved costly in the Barrow 20-yard area.

On the third loss, Barrow took play upfield only for Jarrad Stack to be taken high in the tackle. From the tap penalty Woods was held a foot short as the tackles ran out.

A high tackle proved costly for the home side with Taira going high on Carl Forster which resulted in a trip to the sin bin, Taira back in the team after serving suspension.

A drop out from under the posts was taken by Woods who fed Forster who slipped a neat ball to Anton Iaria, the Aussie’s first try for the Raiders, Shaw converting 0-12.

A further drop out by the Hornets resulted in try number three, Sammut broke through the cover and Shane Toal was crossing the line in the corner,no conversion 0-16.

Hornets once more were down to 12 men with Matt Baker in the bin after a high shot on Hakim Miloudi. However, as the game progressed, Hopkins lost the ball and from the scrum Taira touched down for Sheridan to convert 6-16 at the break

Any hopes of a Hornets comeback were dashed by a double whammy of tries from Tee Ritson in side a three-minute spell. On 50 minutes he crossed the line then intercepted to race over, Shaw adding both goals to make it 6-28.

Toal went in at the corner for try number two prior to Rangi Chase creating a try for Callum Marriott, converted by Sheridan to make it 12-32.

Then as Hornets pressed the Barrow line, Toal rose high to intercept and go fully 95 yards to score, Shaw closing the scoring with the goal.

Barrow join fellow Cumbrians Whitehaven and Workington in the fifth round draw which takes place following tonight’s tie with Leigh and Widnes.