Home advantage yes, but no room for complacency

WELL, that’s the end of the Super Eights and after seven additional games to the first phase of the season, and six more victories, we have finished second which provides us with the significant advantage we were looking for – home advantage in the semi-final and, should we win through to the final, home advantage there also.

Keighley came to Craven Park with a semi-final spot in their sights after Doncaster’s defeat in Toronto and they gave their all, but Barrow played well and secured victory 32-18.

That was Barrow’s fifth victory over the Cougars this season; all have been competitive matches and this was no exception. The champagne moment was the 90 metre try by Shane Toal – one of the best tries seen at Craven Park for a long time.

So tomorrow it’s knock-out football with Newcastle Thunder the visitors and a place in the final the following week the prize.

Newcastle Thunder have hit a rich vein of form and have won their last three games against Doncaster, Keighley and York City Knights.

So they cannot be underestimated, and even though we have beaten them twice already this season, the last occasion a 30-28 close encounter, we must be at our very best to reach the final.

Any complacency or ill-discipline will be punished and that will be the end of our promotion ambition for another season.

Since Jason Payne took over the reins at Thunder just before the Super Eights, they have improved significantly, and I’m sure tomorrow they will arrive full of confidence and will have that ‘nothing to lose’ mindset because attaining fifth place didn’t look achievable three games ago.

On paper we should win convincingly. We are unbeaten at home and finished 13 points ahead of Newcastle, but semi-finals are always a nervous occasion and league positions go out of the window.

The old adage of ‘the winners will be the team who manage the occasion and who will not let the occasion manage them’ always holds true. There is a lot at stake and I’m sure we have the talent and experience to be victorious.

Elsewhere, Whitehaven entertain York in the other semi-final. Haven are also in a rich vein of form after their comprehensive 56-6 victory last week over Cumbrian neighbours Workington Town at Derwent Park. York were beaten only a couple of weeks ago at the Recreation Ground in the dress rehearsal 26-16, and last week Newcastle beat them 26-24.

However, York did rest quite a few players in those two defeats in preparation for this semi-final and on their day are a force, and I think the game will be very close. I want Whitehaven to win and I’m sure all associated with Barrow do also as Barrow versus Whitehaven in the final is the preferred outcome.

Haven coach Carl Forster was named League One coach of the year at the RFL awards earlier in the week. Although a big disappointment for Paul Crarey, who was also worthy of the award, it wasn’t a great surprise as Carl, who is the youngest head coach in rugby league at the age of 25 is also Haven’s top try scorer, and has assembled a formidable squad on average crowds of about 600 and a strict budget.

Joe Bullock was also pipped by Craig Hall of Toronto Wolfpack for the League One player of the year. This was not surprising either as Craig was the league’s top scorer with 420 points (24 tries and 162 goals).

Paul and Joe should be very proud of their nominations by their peers, but I’m sure they would trade any personal recognition for team success and promotion to the Championship.

The club has done everything possible to increase support both on and off the pitch, so tomorrow they should receive their just reward for all that hard graft. See you there to cheer the lads to the final.