When Barrow Raiders take on York City Knights on Bank Holiday Monday it will be a significant game for half-back Jake Carter.
Carter’s only previous Betfred Championship experience came in 2019 when he made nine appearances for the Raiders during his debut season.
He is in line to start Monday’s game in front of the TV cameras, which will be his ninth of the season – and it’s less than halfway through – and a sign that the 23-year-old has definitely arrived.
Carter will be a key player against the Knights as the Raiders have significant players missing through injury.
Influential playmaker Jarrod Sammut is sidelined after being carried off during last Sunday’s 40-18 defeat to Halifax Panthers; Ryan Johnston is still carrying an injury and centre Hakim Miloudi is still suspended.
Carter knows the pressure is on him as the team’s creative focal point against York but has said he is more than willing to take it on.
Speaking to the club’s website he said: “I’m going to have to step up, and a lot of the lads will be looking to me to get them around the field, so it’s something that I’ll look forward to. Hopefully I can deal with that, and we can put in a really good performance.
“I’m loving Championship rugby. I played a little bit during my first year at the club, but I never really got the chance to play a full season.
“In this league and in my position, you’re coming up against some fantastic players who will be on a lot more money and have played at a high level for a number of years.
“The step-up is noticeable, but I’m really enjoying it and hopefully I can keep playing as many games as I can at this level. It’s a good challenge to try and get one over on the people you’re playing against, and some really good teams too.
“I like to be the organising player with a decent kicking game.”
Monday will be the third time the Raiders have played in front of the TV cameras. Previously they won 34-24 at Widnes and then put up a brave performance in their Challenge Cup defeat against Huddersfield Giants.
Carter believes the squad can draw inspiration from both contests as they look to claim a result on home soil against the third-placed Knights, who have won seven of their opening nine league matches.
He said: “York are absolutely flying, so it’s going to be a tough match. You don’t get any easy games in this division.
“It’s a game that we’ll be targeting to win, especially after three trips to Yorkshire on the bounce. It’s been a while since we’ve played at home, so hopefully, we can get back to winning ways.
“More than anything, playing in front of the TV cameras generates excitement within the team.
“You don’t think about it much during the game itself, but during the week, you can use it as a bit of added motivation to put in a good performance. Hopefully, we can repeat our previous performances on TV and put in a decent showing.
“We’ve taken a lot of teams by surprise I think. We don’t have the biggest squad or the best facilities in the league, but one thing we do as a group is work hard for each other.
“That’s what has stood us in good stead already this year. We’re ready to grind it out, do all the tough stuff and stick together until the end.”
