THERE was an element of a mix-and-match to the Barrow Raiders side which took to the field for yesterday's pre-season encounter at home to Keighley Cougars – and not just because they were wearing a combination of last year's home shirt and last year's change kit shorts.

Of course, this being a pre-season match it was always going to be the case that Raiders head coach Paul Crarey would give plenty of opportunities to both old and new players to get some playing time after an arduous three months of training.

But while new signings Glenn Riley, Alec Susino and Jono Smith all pleased Crarey with their appearances from the bench, it was some of the more familiar faces who stood out in a 46-20 win for the hosts at Craven Park.

Luke Cresswell, who scored two tries along with Dan Toal, put in an assured display at his more familiar position of full-back – having made most of his appearances in 2017 on the wing – while Declan Hulme was tenacious in both attack and defence.

The sight of both Andy Litherland and Matty Holmes taking to the field after long spells out injured was a welcome one too. For the former, it was his first outing since injuring his back in last May's Challenge Cup tie at Leeds Rhinos, while the latter missed all of last season with a broken arm.

Exciting half-back prospect Ryan Johnston and three-quarter Tom Loxam both got chances as well, while Nathan Mossop, who was captain for the day in the absence of Martin Aspinwall, played the full 80 minutes – a rarity for the modern hooker – due to Karl Ashall pulling out in the morning owning to illness.

Nevertheless, the Raiders' potent attack was in no way blunted, leading to them scoring eight tries, seven of which were converted by Jamie Dallimore.

The one concern for Crarey may well be how Keighley pair Harry Aaronson and Lewis Fairhurst were able to evade several would-be tacklers en route to scoring solo tries, although a bit of rustiness is to be expected in the first hit-out of the year.

As would have been expected from the two side's many previous meetings, the League One Cougars were always going to provide a good test first up, even with Craig Lingard's side featuring something of a new-look line up themselves after picking nine of their 13 new off-season signings.

Had Adam Ryder not spilled the ball five metres out on a repeat set then Keighley could well have been ahead early on. As it was, Barrow drew first blood when player of the year Joe Bullock burst through for a try under the posts on six minutes after being set up by Mossop.

Ryder then had another opportunity for a try when Lewis Senior blocked a kick from stand-off Dallimore, but this time was unable to ground the bouncing ball properly after chasing it down.

As it was, the Raiders scored again. A break from centre Hulme saw him with options to his left and right, and his decision to go inside to Johnston paid off when the former Dalton amateur got a pass away for Cresswell to get his first try of the afternoon in the 16th minute.

Full-back Aaronson did manage to hit back for Keighley three minutes later when he sliced through the defence, with Fairhurst adding the extras before getting in on the act himself with an unconverted try in the 31st minute.

The power of the Barrow pack led to their third three minutes before the interval though as Jarrad Stack set up fellow back row Toal to crash over, and even the sin-binning of Brett Carter for throwing a punch which sparked a fracas just before the break did not slow the home side down.

Indeed, they ran in two tries in the first seven minutes of the second half; the first coming when Hulme finished off a move for an unconverted score and the second when Mossop burrowed over from dummy-half after Susino had been stopped just short.

Further scores from Tom Walker, Cresswell and Toal wrapped up the win, although Cameron Leeming and Ryder both ensured Keighley kept the Raiders on their toes with scores as well.

So, the first test of pre-season for Barrow has been passed, but with areas to work on. Still, that is what these matches are for and the visit of Oldham this coming Sunday will provide another stiff examination for Crarey's men.

MATCH STATS

Barrow Raiders: Luke Cresswell; Brett Carter, Andy Litherland, Declan Hulme, Tom Loxam; Jamie Dallimore, Ryan Johnston; Joe Bullock, Nathan Mossop, Tom Walker, Bradd Crellin, Jarrad Stack, James Duerden. Interchange: Dan Toal, Glenn Riley, Alec Susino, Matty While, Jono Smith, Matty Holmes.

Keighley Cougars: Harry Aaronson; Hamish Barnes, Cameron Leeming, Adam Ryder, Andrew Gabriel; Lewis Fairhurst, Ryan Wright; Matthew Bailey, Billy Gaylor, Matthew Ross, Joshua Lynam, Liam Senior, Michael Emmitt. Interchange: Trae O’Sullivan, Joe Lumb, Harvey Hallas, Brad Nicholson, Jose Kenga, Calvin Barker.

Referee: Bradley Milligan.

Attendance: 792.

Playback: 6 – Bullock try, Dallimore con (6-0); 16 – Cresswell try, Dallimore con (12-0); 18 – Aaronson try, Fairhurst con (12-6); 31 – Fairhurst try (12-10); 36 – Toal try, Dallimore con (18-10); 43 – Hulme try (22-10); 47 – Mossop try, Dallimore con (28-10); 53 – Leeming try (28-14); 61 – Walker try, Dallimore con (34-14); 67 – Ryder try, Fairhurst con (34-20); 71 – Cresswell try, Dallimore con (40-20); 77 – Toal try, Dallimore con (46-20).