Barrow Raiders 50-24 North Wales Crusaders
By Conrad Anderson from Craven Park.
North Wales Crusaders made 12 changes coming into this week fixture against an almost a full-strength Barrow side, as Dean Muir continued his pre-season preparations using squad rotation to allow a full squad evaluation prior to the season kick off.
It didn’t take long for the hosts to get on the scoreboard as a penalty was conceded by North Wales Crusaders, some great hands saw wingman Tee Ritson score in the corner. Brad Walker converted. North Wales Crusaders had a quick reprieve as Barrow received a penalty, but it failed to reach touch on 8 minutes, but unfortunately the visitors couldn’t hold on to possession. The Raiders began an onslaught in attack as they were building pressure with the first wave of attack ending with a goal line drop out as Luke Forber was forced to knock it out of play. North Wales Crusaders attempt to slow the ruck down backed fired as the referee Matty Lyn awarded a six again for the hosts, which proved to be decisive for the visitors as Joe Bullock powered his way over, with Walker adding the extras. The hosts were yet again too clinical at the ruck and forced a six again and exploited the space, despite Lloyd Roby doing his best to stop the play, Barrow registered their third try of the afternoon courtesy of Josh Wood, Walker converts to make it 18-0.North Wales Crusaders had an opportunity to change the flow of the game but some strong defensive work from the hosts forced the error. Barrow once again were playing in the right areas of the pitch and Bullock registered his second try with Broadbent converting to make it 24-0 after 20 minutes. The next 10 minutes of play saw Crusaders with some good possession and the visitors were able to put something together which tested the Barrow’s defensive line, but a cross-field kick by Jordy Gibson didn’t fool Tee Ritson who was able gather the awkward kick and clear his line. Moments later the Welsh outfit was awarded a much-needed penalty as Barrow were pinged back for obstruction on 25 minutes. This was the first opportunity for North Wales to throw some attacking shape close to the Barrow line, with some quick crisp passing saw Jordy Gibson pass a cut out ball to Junior Westwood who found Luke Forber to score in the corner.
Jordy Gibson converted a touchline conversion to make it 24-6. Crusaders enjoyed a rare spell of possession, and this turned into a penalty, however Holgate had the line to his mercy but was unable to keep hold of the ball. Four minutes later the visitors were punished after Matt Costello scored a try for Barrow after a penalty was conceded for a high tackle, the conversion was unsuccessful and the teams went in 28-6 at half time. North Wales Crusaders started the second half in a positive way as Jordy Gibson put in a speculative kick which Junior Westwood collected but was pulled back for offside. From the resulting possession the hosts were first held up but the visitors defensive line couldn’t hold firm as Matt Costello scored his 2nd try on 45 minutes. Another try was registered on 52 minutes as Tom Walker got into the act as he collected a flick pass out of the back door to register Barrow’s fifth try of the afternoon with Ellis Archer converting to make it 38-6. On 61 minutes North Wales were awarded a rare penalty for a high tackle but unfortunately it didn’t reach touch, which soon after got punished with a Matt Sanderson try which was converted by Archer making the score 44-6.Barrow did get pulled back for a forward pass which gave Crusaders some good field position, some great passing and determination saw Alex Pendlebury race to the corner to score which was later upgraded to a penalty try because a Barrow player led with the shoulder with no attempt to wrap around with his arms. Junior Westwood took over the kicking duties to make it 44-12 on 68 minutes. Some more good field position and a good passage a play saw the ball go wide to Pendlebury who did well to put a kick in before he got dumped into touch for Josh Eaves to race 40 metres to score. Westwood converts (44-18). Crusaders did force the pass soon after, that went array and the hosts capitalised and scored moments later to make it 48-18; soon to reach the half century mark with Archer converting. North Wales Crusaders had the last say as Lloyd Roby scored the final try which was made by Jake Spedding who ran a great line who provided a no look back pass to Roby, Westwood converted. This concluded a tough but useful afternoon’s work for Dean Muir’s men.