Whitehaven came out on top in the Cumbrian derby with a dramatic drop goal winner against Barrow Raiders.
Jake Carter, a former Barrow half-back clinched the points for Haven when his 75th minute drop goal gave his side a 23-22 victory.
Twelve months earlier it had been Barrow who sneaked the win at Whitehaven with a dramatic late drop goal.
A hugely entertaining game, always fiercely contested, saw Barrow ahead at the break but they had to play second fiddle in the second-half as the home side came back with an impressive performance to win the game.
Barrow had started and finished the half with tries in the 4th and 38th minutes to lead 18-12 at the break.
Yet midway through the half it was Whitehaven who had fashioned a 12-6 lead, with both sides enjoying moments of control.
The first try of the game was scored by former Whitehaven winger Andrew Bulman who had the space to go over as Barrow fashioned an overlap on last tackle. Ryan Shaw converted.
Whitehaven drew level on 13 minutes when debutant Nathan Connell was first to reach a kick through and claim the touchdown, with Jake Carter adding the conversion.
On 22 minutes Whitehaven went ahead when a clever reverse kick from Jamie Doran was scooped up by Carter and he crossed for the try which he converted himself.
On 27 minutes Whitehaven were down to 12 men when Ryan King was yellow-carded for a late tackle and soon after his departure Barrow made the advantage tell.
Debutant Tom Forber, with virtually his first touch, kicked over the top and was at Ryan Johnston’s elbow to take the pass from the half-back after he had collected and go in for the try. Shaw’s conversion brought the teams level again.
Then two minutes before the break Barrow regained the lead. A towering kick from Brad Walker was superbly taken by the leaping Jarrad Stack who dropped over the line. Shaw converted.
Four minutes into the second-half Barrow extended their lead. Luke Cresswell was able to get a pass away and found Shaw in enough space to go over for the Raiders’ fourth try. He missed the conversion.
Whitehaven got back into the game on 55 minutes when hard-working forward King charged over for a try which Carter converted.
Four minutes later Haven were level when Jake Maizen got over in the corner after the home side moved the ball quickly along the line. Carter was just wide of the target with the conversion attempt.
As the minutes ticked away the game reached drop goal territory and Brad Walker was first to attempt one on for Barrow but saw it pass below the bar.
The game was settled five minutes from the end and it was former Raiders half-back Carter who slotted the winning point with a drop goal from 35 metres.
Hear Jonty Gorley’s reaction below:
Hear Paul Crarey’s reaction below:
