Barrow Raiders 34 Dewsbury Rams 24: Dewsbury fightback falls short at Barrow

Warren Jowitt's men were in contention throughout, having fought back from being 18-0 down after 15 minutes to threaten the Barrow line like few teams have managed this season. Tries from Nathan Mossop, Ned Catic and Anthony Blackwood, all converted by Jamie Rooney, had handed the hosts that early lead.

But Dewsbury fought back with vigour, Ayden Faal crossing.

Adam Robinson used his formidable size and power to barge through the home defence just after the half-hour, Pat Walker converting to cut the gap to just eight points.

Both sides were reduced to 12 men just before the break as James Walker and Brett McDermott were sin-binned for fighting, but it was the Raiders who coped best with the loss, Liam Harrison scoring on the hooter.

Robinson reduce the deficit before Liam Campbell extended it again to 28-18.

Still the Rams pushed hard and Faal made it two for him after a Dom Brambani kick was palmed into his path by James Haynes with only five minutes left.

But, just as it seemed Dewsbury could pull off a famous win, Gary Broadbent scored for the home side to confirm a hard-fought victory.

Barrow: Broadbent, Ballard, Blackwood, Harrison, McGilvary, Rooney, Coyle, Bracek, Mossop, James, Ostler, Catic, Luisi. Substitutes: Noone, McDermott, Campbell, Knowles.

Dewsbury: Lingard, Powell, Faals, Turner, Haynes, P. Walker, Brambani, Stenchion, Blake, Hirst, Lockwood, Bostock, Addy. Substitutes: Robinson, Menzies, Barber, J. Walker.

Referee: M Thomason (RFL)