Barrow Raiders were first of the Cumbrian sides into friendly action ahead of the new-style Championship season.
The Raiders opened with a 50-24 home win over North Wales Crusaders, last season’s champions of League One.
It proved a sensational start to the new season for crowd favourite Tee Ritson, back after two years at St Helens and an injury problem, but looking sharp again.
He set Barrow on their way with a try in the second minute with a sidestep to wrong foot the Crusaders defence and then a dart through the gap to score. Brad Walker converted.
Ten minutes later it as another former popular Barrow player Joe Bullock, returning from Wigan, who bulldozed his way over in typical fashion. Walker converted.
On four minutes it became 18-0 as Josh Wood scooped up a loose ball and wasn’t for catching as he raced in. Walker added the extras.
An explosive first quarter ended with Bullock driving over for his second try and this time Luke Broadbent provided the conversion.
The Crusaders finally made decent ground and on 27 minutes reduced the arrears with a try when Barrow’s defence wasn’t as tight as it should have been. Jody Gibson added the extras.
Barrow weren’t long in seizing the initiative again and just before half-time Matt Costello charged over for an unconverted try.
With a 28-6 lead at half-time Barrow quickly increased that advantage after the re-start with Costello charging through for his second try, again unconverted.
On 52 minutes it was Tom Walker’s turn to cross the Crusaders line and this time a trialist put over the conversion.
Two trialists got on the scoresheet after 65 minutes with one going over for the try and the other landing his second conversion.
That sparked a mini-recovery by the Crusaders with Alex Pendlebury and Kian Fishwick scoring tries, both converted by Junior Westwood.
But it was soon business as usual for Barrow as once again a combination of two trialists provided the try and conversion.
In the last minute Lloyd Roby scored a fourth try for the visitors and Westwood converted.
