The pre-season pundits got it half right when they were predicting who would go down from the Championship after the 2022 campaign.
Workington Town duly finished bottom with just one point and returned to League One. But it was the other consistent prediction that Barrow, although going up as champions, would go straight back down which proved miles off the mark.
Not only did the Raiders stay up, but they reached the Championship play-offs in fifth place.
Now returning half-back Jarrod Sammut says the club still haven’t hit the heights they are truly capable of, despite that impressive return to the Championship.
Sammut, who had previously played for Workington amongst a number of clubs, signed for the Raiders ahead of the 2022 season and went on to make an immediate impact, scoring 20 tries in 27 appearances and bagging numerous more assists.
The Malta international has since signed a new one-year deal, keeping him at the Raiders until the end of next season.
Sammut, who will be 36 at the start of next season, admits he enjoyed his first season at the club last season, having reaped the rewards of Paul Crarey’s exciting brand of rugby.
“I think the style of rugby that we play at the club is quite free-flowing and not really tied down to structure,” he said. “Even though we do have a structure in place, Cresta allows us to play what we see.
“We’ve had a lot of joy coming from that style of play, and I think it’s been evident that we’ve enjoyed the last few months.”
The 2022 season came to an end after a hard-fought elimination play-off to Batley Bulldogs, and Sammut says the aim now is to ensure they continue to progress on the pitch when the new campaign commences.
“Coming up from League One, the club probably exceeded expectations, but from a personal point of view, I think we’ve still not reached our potential.
“We definitely flew under the radar for most of the year, but we don’t want to just be a one-season wonder. We want to kick on.
“Next year is going to be more difficult with teams knowing the capabilities we possess, but it’s about rising to the challenge to find more consistent rugby and keep enjoying what we’re doing.”
Sammut’s off-the-cuff style and creative flair quickly became a fans favourite upon his arrival in Cumbria.
He admits the support he and the squad received throughout the 2022 season was more than he could’ve hoped for prior to his arrival.
“The fans up in Cumbria and the Raiders in particular, they really do love their rugby,” Sammut said.
“They’re a very passionate and vocal bunch, and their support makes a massive difference.
“They really get behind the lads, and even though we’re on the field and we’re focused, we still feel them cheering us on.
“They’re an extra man at times, and for the opposition Craven Park could be a daunting place to come to.
“We can’t thank them enough. We just hope that they continue turning out in support and get behind us because we absolutely love it.”
