Barrow Raiders 26 Featherstone Rovers 38: Newman strikes twice as Rovers go second in Championship standings

Rovers are just a point off leaders Toronto Wolfpack and two ahead of Toulouse – now third – after the French side finished well beaten by Batley on Saturday.

Featherstone led the Raiders 16-8 at half-time and didn’t have everything their own way with Barrow nipping at their heels for significant periods of the contest.

Hooker Connor Farrell opened Featherstone’s account, and ‘try machine’ winger Luke Briscoe added to the tally.

Full-back Ian Hardman, Martyn Ridyard – playing in the centres – and back-rower Keal Carlile competed the try scoring.

Sure-footed centre Ridyard landed five conversions.

Barrow refused to buckle, however, and their efforts were rewarded with tries for Jono Smith, replacement Ryan Duffy, Dean Parata – operating from the bench – and Gene Ormsby. Stand-off Jamie Dallimore matched Ridyard with the boot, also converting five.

Barrow Raiders: Fieldhouse, Carter, Hulme, Stack, Ormsby, Dallimore, Johnston, Bullock, Mossop, Susino, Smith, Crellin, Aspinwall. Subs: Duffy, Parata, Riley, Walker.

Featherstone Rovers: Hardman, Briscoe, Taulapapa, Ridyard, Robinson, Newman, Holmes, Lockwood, Farrell, Turgut, Knowles, Carlile, Clark. Subs: Wildie, Hock, Cooper, Moore.

Referee: Tom Crashley.