Barrow Raiders put in another gritty display in defeat when they lost 28-16 at Oldham.
The Roughyeds had put together a long winning sequence and yet it was Barrow who led 12-4 at half-time.
Oldham had scored first on 10 minutes when they initially charged down the middle and then had numbers out wide to score a slick unconverted try from Ben O’Keefe.
On 21 minutes Barrow went ahead after good, sustained pressure paid dividends.
After Tom Walker had been held up he had better luck soon after by getting over the line. Ryan Johnston’s conversion edged them ahead.
Eight minutes later Barrow were in again after more strong pressure and when the play was moved smartly through hands Dan Knott went over. Johnson converted.
All very promising for Barrow at the break but they made a poor start to the second half.
For probably the first time this season Luke Cresswell dropped a high ball and from it Tom Nisbet went over, with Morgan Smith converting.
A minute later Oldham were awarded a penalty and Smith’s successful kick levelled the scores.
Barrow hit back, though, and on 52 minutes it was Jarrad Stack who defied his age as he showed pace, strength and skill to go over for a try but the kick was missed.
The Raiders had a 16-12 advantage but on the hour Luke Broadbent was yellow-carded for a high tackle and against 12 men Oldham capitalised with a try from Bayley Liu which Smith converted.
Oldham continued to prosper and on 68 minutes sustained pressure saw the experienced Josh Drinkwater use his skill to fashion an opening for Luke Forber to score and five minutes from the end Drinkwater claimed the final try of the game.
Hear Paul Crarey’s verdict below:
