After an unbeaten July it’s the ultimate test for Barrow Raiders on Sunday when they tackle leaders Leigh Centurions at the Sports Village.
Confidence is high in the Raiders camp after their climb to fifth place and they were unfortunate to lose out to the Centurions in their home clash.
Having triumphed in the 1895 Cup Final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium earlier this year, the Centurions emphasised their superiority with a 46-16 victory over nearest challengers Featherstone Rovers last weekend.
Add into the mix the recent capture of Papua New Guinea international half-back Lachlan Lam, son of Leigh boss Adrian, and a contract extension for talented outside back Blake Ferguson, they have a team hoping to go all the way in the end-of-season play-offs.
Coach Paul Crarey said: “Of course it’s going to be tough, they have spent well over a million pounds on players but we were unlucky not to get something out of them at our place.
“We could easily have had a draw or even a win, and this time we are not going into it on the back of a hard Challenge Cup game.
“We have trained well and we are going there to have a go. I will make changes, though, rest a few bodies but we will be ready to take them on.”
Carl Forster will miss out through injury but James Duerden returns to the Raiders squad along with Connor Saunders.
Crarey will choose from: Brooks, B. Carter, J. Carter, Crellin, Cresswell, Duerden, Emslie, Gillam, Iaria, Johnston, Langtree, Milousi, Morrow, Mossop, Ritson, Sammut, Saunders, Shaw, Stack, S. Toal, Wood.
