Some familiar names came back to haunt Workington Town at Derwent Park as Barrow Raiders won the Cumbrian derby 58-0.
Three former Workington players Jarrod Sammut, Tee Ritson (two) and Jarrad Stack scored first-half tries to give the Raiders control at 22-0.
It had been a tight start to the game with an even first quarter before Barrow took charge, and it was a similar story in the second-half. The last quarter, however, was so one-sided as Barrow ran riot and they finished with ten tries, nine of which were converted by Sammut.
Barrow were rather fortunate when they took the lead on 21 minutes. After Carl Forster had been held-up on the home line Barrow went again and when Jarrod Sammut collected his kick through came off the woodwork and he re-gathered to touchdown. He added the conversion.
There was more trouble for Town four minutes later when they got themselves into a good attacking position and looked to be creating an opportunity on the Barrow line. But the final pass was intercepted by Hakim Miloudi who raced to halfway before sending Tee Ritson racing away for the second try which Sammut improved.
Town had been in the contest and were a shade unlucky to have conceded the two tries in the way they did.
But on 33 minutes it became even harder for the hosts when the lively Ritson jinked through for his second try which went unconverted.
There was still time for it to get worse for Town and two minutes from half-time their former captain Jarrad Stack powered over from short range. Sammut’s conversion gave Barrow a 22-0 lead at half-time.
Town were much more aggressive in the second half and forced Barrow to defend for lengthy spells but the Raiders prevented their hosts from pulling back precious points with some outstanding work on their own line.
They needed to score in that spell and it was a massive blow when Barrow held them and broke to score the first points of the half on 61 minutes.
Jake Carter broke and went 30 metres before slipping then ball to Sammut who was able to get over with Town players hanging onto him. Sammut converted.
There wasn’t much doubt about the outcome of the points by this stage and Barrow were able to score again with a well taken try on 70 minutes. Miloudi fed Ritson and he worked the ball inside for Luke Cresswell to go over. Sammut converted.
Indeed Town virtually folded in the last ten minutes and Barrow ran riot, taking their score over the fifty point mark.
On 73 minutes Miloudi went over in the corner, with Sammut again converting. Three minutes later Salford loanee Matty Costello scored his first try for the club, again converted and two minutes from the end Cresswell got in for his second try which Sammut improved.
There was no respite for Town after the final hooter when Shaun Tool booted the ball down field. Alex Young was too slow to react and Costello nipped in ahead of him for his second try. Sammut’s conversion was the final act of the game.
