Barrow Raiders 25 Doncaster 8: Victory over Doncaster built on Barrow’s solid defensive foundations

Going into the game on the back of a 48-16 thrashing of Barrow’s county rivals Whitehaven, the Dons were expected to give their hosts a real run for their money.

But, instead, it was the home side who made it two wins from two to go joint-top of the fledgling table thanks to a determined defensive effort.

Liam Campbell’s interception try put Raiders 6-0 up before Tom Hodson repaid the favour by picking up a loose Barrow pass and racing in down the left wing from 35 metres out.

Strong tackling on the home line prevented Hodson and Lee Waterman from crossing, before Chris Larkin scored on the hooter to give the hosts a 12-4 interval advantage.

Raiders scored first after the interval as Aaron Low went through Hodson and Waterman to touch down wide on the right.

Doncaster responded as Waterman crossed after Hodson was stopped short by Lee Haney.

With the score at 18-8, Barrow prevented their visitors from pulling themselves back into the match with more hard hits and strong tackles before player-coach Darren Holt somersaulted over the line with eight minutes to go to seal the victory.

Dons coach Tony Miller put the defeat down to a lack of pressure put on the hosts.

Disappointed Miller said: “We could have been ten points up at half-time but we made too many mistakes and took the wrong options and missed too many chances.”

Barrow Raiders: Ballard, Haney, Larkin, Low, Nixon, Holt, Campbell, Bracek, Finch, Butler, Harrison, Pugh, Toal. Substitutes (all used): Pedley, Dawson, Gordon, Dutton.

Doncaster: Butterfield, Coulton, Cunningham, Waterman, Hodson, Cooke, Hyde, Castle, Emmett, O’Loughlin, Robinson, Lawton, Edwards. Substitutes (all used): Kesik, Bibb, Welsh, Kelly.

Referee: Jamie Leahy (Dewsbury).