Barrow Raiders 34 York City Knights 12: Good run over as York are made to pay for leaving too many gaps

Both sides went into the clash at Craven Park following back-to-back league wins, but only the hosts ever looked like extending that run in a mainly one-sided affair.

A try in each half was all the Knights had to show for their efforts on a windy Saturday evening in Barrow, although the determination of Jack Steerman and the guile of Mark Barlow to grab those points was something deservingfull credit.

York had been camped mainly in their own half for the opening quarter and it was no surprise when former GB international Jamie Thackray used his upper-body strength to force the first score.

Liam Campbell extended the home side’s lead to 12-0 before James Ford was stopped short and Anthony Thackeray was pulled up for offside after he thought he had touched down for the ambitious visitors.

Steerman did score as he charged through two tackles four minutes before half-time, but Barrow had the last say ahead of the interval through Matt James’s well-worked effort.

Scores from Gregg McNally, Ned Catic and Andy Ballard put the game to bed with 11 minutes remaining on the clock but York still showed plenty of spirit as they went about trying to secure a bonus point.

A fine pass from Tom Bush put Mark Barlow in to reduce the points gap to 18, but in their quest for a third try, York left themselves exposed and allowed Ballard in for his second of the match to wrap things up.

Barrow Raiders: McNally, Ballard, Larkin, Harrison, Backhouse, Rooney, Campbell, Butler, Mossop, Walker, Ostler, Catic, Luisi. Substitutes: Thackray, James, Knowles, Davies.

York City Knights: Bush, Sutton, Garside, Ford, Waterman, Thackeray, Presley, Freer, Lee, Benson, Esders, Straugheir, Thorman. Substitutes: Stearman, Waller, Barlow, Clarke.

Referee: J Leahy (Dewsbury).