Barrow are the kings of Cumbria after the early season games in the new 1895 Cup formula.
The Raiders followed-up last week’s 30-8 win at Workington with a second victory in west Cumbria by 18-12 at Whitehaven.
But as the score suggests this was a deal tougher as they needed two late converted tries to see them home against a determined Whitehaven side.
The home team were leading 12-6 until the 67th minute when quick thinking at a play-the-ball from Josh Wood sent Matt Costello crashing over and Ryan Shaw’s conversion put them level.
Then six minutes from the end it was a chip through from Brad Walker and James Greenwood got on the end of it for the touchdown. Shaw converted.
Barrow had led 4-0 at half-time with the only try of a tough, hugely competitive first period coming on 23 minutes.
Ryan Johnston, playing his 100th game for Barrow, set up Max Clarke who had enough room to get through and score an unconverted try.
Johnston had earlier spent time in the sin bin when Whitehaven were unable to make their man advantage tell.
However, it took only two minutes of the second-half for Whitehaven to take the lead.
A nice little kick through from Jake Carter hit the upright and fortunately it was Haven’s Lachlan Hanneghan who was following up to gather and touchdown. Carter converted.
Barrow drew level after 49 minutes when Haven were penalised for a high tackle on Razor Silva and Shaw kicked the goal.
But on 58 minutes Whitehaven were back in front after great work from Ryan King who needed no incentive to go through a gap in the Barrow defence and touchdown. Jake Carter converted.
The last quarter of the game was fiercely contested, although the two sides were visibly slowing up after such a committed and torrid contest.
Overall both teams will take plenty of positives from the contest as they prepare for their Challenge Cup games next weekend.
Whitehaven go to Halifax and Barrow entertain Oldham.
Afterwards Cumbria Crack’s John Walsh spoke to the respective coaches Jonty Gorley and Paul Crarey and you can hear their views below:
