A HAT-TRICK from Shane Toal helped Barrow Raiders upset full-time Leigh Centurions and score a 24-20 victory over one of the promotion favourites in this afternoon’s clash at Craven Park.

Two tries from the winger in the first half had given the Raiders a chance, but it was the Centurions – relegated from Super League last year – who held an eight-point advantage at the break on the back of a double from Ilias Bergan.

But Barrow fought back after the break and secured an unlikely victory thanks to two more converted tries, while at the same time keeping Neil Jukes’ side scoreless during the second 40 minutes.

As expected, head coach Paul Crarey rotated the Raiders squad for this encounter, with Ryan Duffy and Bradd Crellin – replacing Jono Smith – coming into the starting line-up, and Jarrad Stack moving to centre in place of the rested Tom Loxam.

There was little to choose between the sides in the opening exchanges, but it was Leigh who drew first blood when Bergal found a way over out wide for an unconverted try on eight minutes after Liam Hood had been held up just short.

A penalty for a high tackle on 17 minutes gave Barrow a platform to launch an attack though and they duly took advantage when Ryan Fieldhouse sent Scotland international Toal darting through the Centurions defence for a score which was converted by Jamie Dallimore.

Leigh retook the lead in the 28th minute when Peter Mata’utia finished on a last-tackle play, with Ben Reynolds converting, but a fumble by Leigh soon after the restart saw Raiders wide-man Toal scoop up the ball and race in from over 30 metres out to level the scores with an unconverted try.

Then when the away side were penalised for holding down in the tackle, half-back Dallimore kicked Barrow ahead from 30 metres out with seven minutes of the first half remaining.

Toal’s defence then came to the fore when he raced across to deny Jack Owens what seemed like a certain try, but Leigh recycled possession for Larne Patrick to grab a try and Reynolds to add the extras.

Then just as the half was coming to a close, the Centurions drew two consecutive penalties and worked the ball out for Bergal to finish in the corner for an eight-point lead at the break.

But the Centurions were unable to press home their advantage after the break and it was the hosts who started to turn the screw, earning their reward when Fieldhouse gathered a bomb from Dallimore and raced over for a converted try.

It was Toal who put the seal on the win with 10 minutes to go, finishing off a move involving Dean Parata, Jarrad Stack and Fieldhouse, followed by Dallimore booting the conversion from the touchline.

The match was not over yet though and the Raiders still had to hold firm in defence. However, they did just that and kept Leigh at bay for a famous win.

Barrow Raiders: Ryan Fieldhouse; Shane Toal, Jarrad Stack, Declan Hulme, Brett Carter; Jamie Dallimore, Karl Ashall; Ryan Duffy, Dean Parata, Alec Susino, Dan Toal, Bradd Crellin, Martin Aspinwall. Interchange: Nathan Mossop, Joe Bullock, Glenn Riley, Tom Walker.

Leigh Centurions: Jack Owens; Matthew Dawson, Ben Crooks, Peter Mata’utia, Ilias Bergal; Ben Reynolds, Drew Hutchinson; Paterika Vai Vai, Liam Hood, Nathan Mason, Kevin Larroyer, Bodene Thompson, Jordan Thompson. Interchange: Daniel Mortimer, Jamie Acton, Harrison Hanson, Larne Patrick.

Referee: John McMullen.