It was a tough day at the office for Barrow Raiders, beaten 37-22 at a new-look Newcastle Thunder.
Nowhere near the side they have been in recent years, propping up the rest of League One, Newcastle are a different animal this time round and had established a 20-6 lead by half-time.
Barrow did rally, only losing the second-half 17-16, but paid the price for another slow start.
Thunder had gone ahead in the fourth minute with a try from Jordan Lipp and that was followed quickly after ten minutes with a second touchdown from Brad Ward, both converted by Will Roberts.
When they went 18-0 ahead by the 23rd minute from another Lipp touchdown and Roberts conversion it looked bleak for the visitors.
Barrow finally offered a threat and duly scored on 31 minutes when Ryan King forced his way over from short range and Brad Walker converted.
But the final points of the half went Newcastle’s way when Roberts knocked over a penalty on 37 minutes.
Barrow needed the first score of the second-half to give them momentum to challenge the home lead but was Thunder who crossed again on 52 minutes as Ward scored his second try which went unconverted.
After 56 minutes Barrow scored the try they needed when the ball was shipped wide and Luke Broadbent finished off well with a the try which Walker converted.
At 24-12 another Barrow score would have made it interesting but it was Newcastle who increased their advantage with a try from Joe Law which Roberts improved.
Again Barrow it back and this time it was Tee Ritson with the try, converted by Walker.
Continuing the see-saw nature of the scoring it was Newcastle who went in again through King Vuyayawa , converted by Roberts before Taylor Pemberton added more insurance with a penalty.
Barrow did have the final word a minute from time but King’s second try was too late to make any real impression on the final score.
Hear Paul Crarey’s thoughts below:
