On his seventeenth birthday, Isaac Barber will captain Dalton Dragon's rugby league U16s team against Waterhead Warriors. 

Dalton Dragons will travel to Waterhead for their final match of the season this Sunday. Victory for the Dragons will earn them second place in the under-16 North west Counties Division two.

The Dragons defeated the Warriors in March in the first fixture of the season on their home pitch at Dalton. However this was the only league defeat Waterhead suffered on their battle to becoming Division 2 champions.

The Dragon's won the league last season as under-15's and David Blinkhorn, one of this year's coaches said that by finishing second in the league will alow them to 'leapfrog local rival Hindpool'.

Mr Blinkhorn said: "The team play in the North West Counties League and have all led from the front, sticking together and representing South Cumbria in what is a hotbed of talent.

"We have had Three players selected for Salford Red Devils Scholarship this season - Dan Knott, Joshua Blinkhorn and Sam Atkinson."

"Isaac Barber, Bailey and Harrison Dutton, Josh Blinkhorn, Dan Knott and Mason Laisby were chosen for a Cumbria Select team in association with Hull FC to play a testing game against a National team in Wales coached by Lee Crooks of Hull FC.

"Isaac Barber, Dan Knott and Joshua Blinkhorn also play in a strong Furness Raiders side.

"Twin brothers Bailey and Harrison Dutton have led the forwards pack with Ben Niven, Mason Cooke, Tom Brown, Owen Gribbin and Fraiser Stilling. Athletes Dan Knott, Maison Laisby and Fraser Grant have outpaced the opposition with a strong, direct offence while Lewis Taylor, Tom Brock and Robbie Nevinson have led the charge on the flanks. Isaac Barber in the second row, half Backs Joshua Blinkhorn and Will Broome have looked after Scrum Half and Stand-off as Owen Macdonald plays hooker and Kori Hayes is the team’s Full back.

“Keeping this group of lads together, playing sport is key to Dalton ARLFC and the clubs growth."

Coached by Ben Atkinson, Harry Gordon, David Blinkhorn and retired Barrow Raiders player Kevin O'Brien, the whole team have a 'strong relationship with both the club and the local community'.

Mr Blinkhorn said that he and Mr O'Brien have decided to coach the Under 18’s side next season 'to see how far these players can go'.

Dalton have secured major sponsorship for the under 18’s next season, and are always on the lookout for further sponsorship opportunities from local businesses in the Barrow and District area. The money raised assists in the cost of running the side and playing in the north west counties league next season as it is expensive to travel due to location.