BARROW Raiders head coach Paul Crarey was delighted with his side as they claimed an “Outstanding” 24-24 draw at home to Bradford Bulls.
A second-half fight back saw Crarey’s men earn a share of the spoils against a Bulls side sitting fifth in the Betfred Championship table.
The draw sees Raiders sitting in 11th spot and Crarey admitted it was a good result against a good side.
He told Raiders’ official YouTube channel: “They are a quality team, who play on transition with plenty of pace.
“A couple of things got us into trouble, a 20-metre restart got them on the front foot, and they ended up down the other end of the field and scoring.
“We got beat on the edge when we should have been a little bit tighter on a nothing play really, but we hung in and we completed 90 per cent in the second half.”
Crarey felt that his side took the game to the visitors more in the second 40 minutes.
He added: “We threw a lot at them and kept them on yardage with the single carries, and then we hit them with some shape, and I thought to get the draw was outstanding.”
He was also quick to praise the nerve shown by Ryan Shaw after his conversion levelled matters at 24-24.
“If Shawy has his kicking boots then we win the game,” he said.
“I think he missed three, which is very rare for him, but he got the one that mattered off the touchline on the left-hand side.
“Under pressure he’s the best, and he was under a little pressure, and he knocked it over and there was one minute left.”
Crarey admitted it was a nervy finish to the game, but praised his side for getting the game over the line.
He said: “We got the ball back and went for the drop goal, but he (the referee) gave them a 20-metre restart.
“We didn’t know how much time was added on. The play rattled on, and I just thought ‘oh no we are going to be under pressure, and they are going to get a chance of a drop goal’.
“So, my heart was in my mouth because I thought it’s a massive, massive point against Bradford.
“They have been brilliant all year, and they came with a superstar team, but to get a draw was outstanding.”
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