Barrow Raiders consolidated their position in the Betfred Championship play-offs with a 36-24 win over Widnes Vikings at the Summer Bash.
An exciting, high intensity game was closely fought throughout with the outcome uncertain until Tee Ritson’s second try three minutes from the end.
Barrow had made a sensational start with a try after two minutes following some slick cross-field passing which ended with Shane Toal diving over in the corner.
Although Ryan Shaw missed the conversion he was on target in the 13th minute with a penalty.
Widnes reduced the arrears on 21 minutes when Danny Craven jinked his way through the Barrow defence for an unconverted try.
Six minutes later the Vikings were in front when Olly Davies went over and Steve Tyrer added the conversion.
On the half hour Widnes increased their lead and looked to be sneaking clear as Matty Fozard made the line and Tyrer converted.
It was 12-16 at half-time, however, as Barrow scored again. Jarrod Sammut put in a grubber kick which was collected by Tee Ritson and he fed the ball inside for Hakim Miloudi to score. Shaw converted.
Within four minutes of the resumption Barrow had the lead. A Luke Cresswell break was finished-off by Ritson and Shaw converted.
The lead was extended on 55 minutes when Anton Iaria got to a kick from Jake Carter to touchdown under the posts. Shaw’s conversion made it 24-16.
On the hour a Sammut pass near his own line was intercepted and Widnes profited with an easy interception score by Luis Roberts converted by Tyler.
On 65 minutes, though, Sammut atoned when he jinked through three tackles to score under the posts and Shaw’s conversion gave them an eight point lead again.
Two minutes later that advantage was reduced with a Tyler penalty.
It then became a dramatic conclusion as Barrow were left to play the last ten minutes with 12 men as Sammut was sent to the sin bin.
Four minutes later it was evened-up when Widnes had Owen Farnworth yellow-carded so both teams finished the game one short.
The points were secured for Barrow in the 77th minute when Miloudi intercepted and let the flying Ritson finish the job with the try, converted by Shaw.
