Barrow’s remarkable season back in the Championship came to an end in their first play-off game.
They went down 18-8 at home to Batley Bulldogs, but nobody was complaining after the Raiders had produced plenty of memories over the campaign.
As expected it was a hard-fought contest which Batley just edged, finishing the stronger.
It took 36 minutes for the first score to go on the board and even then it was a penalty from Ryan Shaw.
But it was Batley who went in at the break with a 6-2 lead as they rounded off strong pressure with a converted try.
The ball was pushed wide for Johnny Campbell to dive over in the corner and Tom Gilmore added a touchline conversion.
Ten minutes into the second half and Batley had increased their lead.
They moved the ball well through several pair of hands before West Cumbrian Alistair Leak finished off with the try which Gilmore converted. It was game on again after 64 minutes when Barrow pulled back to 8-12.
Heavy Barrow pressure ended with Ellis Gillam plunging over the line and Shaw popping over the conversion.
The four point difference last just six minutes and it was that man Leak again who sliced through for his second try, converted by Gilmore.
Paul Crarey and his squad deserve loads of credit for the way they have played this season when many had written them off coming up from League One.
There’s one thing for certain they won’t be dismissed out of hand next time round.
