Barrow Raiders are out of the 1895 Cup after a 30-12 defeat at Wakefield Trinity but it was a good effort from the South Cumbrians.
Raiders had trailed 18-0 at half-time but had been very much in the contest after a nightmare start in which they conceded two converted tries in the first five minutes.
A Raiders mistake in their very first set allowed Trinity to capitalise with a try by Renouf Atoni which was improved by Max Jowitt.
Then on five minutes good slick handling from the home side ended with Jowitt sliding over for the second try which he converted from wide out.
But after this opening assault Barrow settled and gave as good as they got until five minutes before the break when a bouncing ball wasn’t dealt with and Josh Griffin collected to score the third try, again converted by Jowitt.
Barrow got on the score-sheet after 53 minutes when Max Anderson Moore rounded off a smart attack with a try which Ryan Shaw converted.
There was lots to feel pleased about how Barrow went about their work in the second-half but it was Trinity who scored again on 68 minutes when Atoni powered through for their fourth try with Jowitt converted.
But on 74 minutes Barrow were in again after a kick through was collected by Max Clarke and with support from Shane Toal they put Anderson-Moore in for his second try. Shaw converted.
Three minutes from the end Wakefield scored again as Harvey Smith cut through the Raiders defence from 18 metres to touchdown and Jowitt converted.
It had been a big effort from the Raiders who shared the second-half scoring 12-12, and that opening five minutes had proved crucial.
Barrow coach Paul Crarey said: “It was a great effort, especially after going 12-0 down after five minutes. We went toe-to-toe with them after that until we mis-fielded a simple kick three minutes before half-time which put an uneven slant on the scoreline.
“In the second-half we were inventive and put in some great short kicks that caused Wakefield endless problems and scored after three repeat sets.
“Then Wakefield scored from a crash-over through the middle but we responded really well with a great shape play with Max Moore on the end of it for his second try on debut.
“The game was end-to-end with both teams giving their all until a late try sealed it for Wakefield after two penalties from us had gifted them field position.
“Overall lots of positive for us to take into the first Championship game in a fortnight.”
