York City Knights 16 Barrow 42: Patient approach sees Raiders burst into life to end Knights’ hopes

The Raiders opened powerfully and within the first minute both Michael Knowles and Martin Ostler were held on their backs over the try line although it was York who drew first blood.

Jonny Presley received the ball 10-metres from the line before stepping off both feet to leave the defence clutching at air as he burst through to touch down.

With Liam Harrison sparkling in the bright sunlight, Barrow wasted no time in hitting back as the big centre powered through the defence only to be halted by Tom Bush’s superb tackle, but the ball was worked forward for Richard Fletcher to score.

James Coyle then made an excellent break for Gary Broadbent to go over and touch down, before Jamie Rooney’s high bomb saw Andy Ballard go crashing over the line.

But York, regrouped and hit back themselves with Dave Sutton reducing the deficit to just six points just before the break as he latched onto another Presley kick before going through to score.

But the wheels came off as Harrison fed Ballard for his second try before scoring himself after leaving three tacklers in his considerable wake.

Still the pressure was maintained as Chris Larkin scored by the flag after a huge Rooney kick before the stand-off’s subsequent 40-20 set up Zeb Luisi to crash over the line.

Rooney gained a deserved touch down of his own, although a late York try from Jon Davies was simply too little, too late.

York City Knights: Bush, Sutton, Thompson, Straugheir, Wilson, Thorman, Presley, Massey, Stamp, Benson, Clarke, Davies, Freer. Substitutes: Lewis, Garside, Barron, Stearman.

Barrow Raiders: Broadbent, Ballard, Larkin, Harrison, Nixon, Rooney, Coyle, Walker, Gleeson, James, Knowles, Ostler, Catic. Substitutes: Campbell, Luisi, Fletcher, Butler.

Referee: C Sharrad (RFL).