Barrow Raiders put up a gritty performance in France before losing their Championship clash with Toulouse Olympique 38-16.
They had led in the first-half and only trailed 22-16 at the break before their hosts pulled away in the second half.
In an encouraging start to the game Barrow had gone ahead on seven minutes with a penalty from Ryan Johnston after he had been taken out by a high tackle.
Regular kicker Ryan Shaw had started on the bench so Johnston took on kicking duties and duly booted Raiders in front.
The lead lasted four minutes and Barrow’s defence was breached when Reuben Rennie found a gap and charged through for an unconverted try.
On 15 minutes the home side were down to 12 men when Lambert Belmas was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle.
Barrow immediately made them pay as Luke Cresswell fashioned an opening for Andrew Bulman and he finished with aplomb in the corner.
Johnston couldn’t convert but three minutes later Barrow scored again. After a surging 50 yard move it was Luke Broadbent who chipped over the home defence before racing through to collect and score.
Barrow continued to force the pace and this time on 24 minutes a Johnston kick through had Toulouse in trouble and Brad Walker claimed the try. Johnston landed the extras.
With a 16-4 lead it was a great effort by the Raiders but that rapidly evaporated before half time as Toulouse came back to lead at the break.
When Raiders missed a tackle Maxime Stefani barged through to score on 28 minutes; four minutes later Ryan Rivett side steps the Raiders defence and glides in and then on 35 minutes Rennie burst through the defence to give his side the lead. Jake Shorrocks converted two.
From 22-16 at half-time the French side had increased their advantages within four minutes when James Roumanos went over by the sticks for Shorrocks to convert.
Fast hands stretched the Raiders out wide and Paul Marcon scored in the corner. After 66 minutes and Shorrocks converted.
Rivett scored the final try three minutes from the end but it had been a noble effort from the Raiders.
