Whitehaven's winning run ended at five as they tasted defeat at the hands of South Cumbrian neighbours Barrow Raiders as Paul Craery's side completed a Cumbrian quadruple with double league victories over both West Cumbrian neighbours.
It was the home side who got the game's first score in the early stages as a penalty conceded by Ethan Bickerdike for tackling a Raiders man off the ball allowed the home side a full set of tackles from short range. The Raiders needed only a handful of tackles before Raiders back rower Ethan Robson celebrating his 150th career appearance crashed over on the right hand edge. Brad Walker adding the extras. Haven hit back almost immediately as Haven was allowed to march up the field following Ellison Holgate being tackled off the ball, from the resulting penalty Haven captain Connor Holliday showed fancy footwork to get over the whitewash for his second score of the campaign. Ciaran Walker's conversion attempt hitting the post. The final score in the opening quarter of an hour came after Haven were penalised in the set after scoring for an incorrect play the ball giving the home side an opportunity deep into Haven territory. A few plays later experienced forward Joe Bullock crashed over from short range after a perfect pass from Brad Walker. The half back stepped up and converted the extras for an eight point advantage.
The game started to even out and became an arm wrestle after the hectic opening exchanges as both sides looked to settle down into the contest. It was not until just after the half hour mark that there was any further score and it was former Haven forward Ryan King who crashed over from short range to extend the advantage against his previous employers. Brad Walker maintained his perfect record with the boot. That advantage was soon reduced as the Raiders were unable to deal with the Haven kick off. Once more from the resulting set Ethan Bickerdike ran through the attempted defensive tackles to ground the ball for his tenth try of the campaign. Ciaran Walker added the extras for a eight point deficit at the break.
The second half got off to a similarly fast start as Brad Singleton got his first Barrow try after a goal line drop out had been forced on the back of an Alex Bishop kick which saw Xenden Callander pinned behind the try line. Singleton couldn't be stopped from short range. Walker added the extras. The topsy turvy nature of the contest continued as Haven struck two tries in three minutes. The first saw an interception from Xenden Callander after a long looping pass from Brad Walker was picked out of the air and the young winger showed his speed to go ninety metres to ground the ball. The second score came moments later after Ethan Bickerdike broke down the middle of the field before kicking the ball forward which bounced perfectly for the in-support Jay Weatherill to collect and run untouched and ground the ball. Ciaran Walker added the extras for the second score only.
The Raiders quickly hit back as Haven couldn't complete in the set after their latest score with a knock on from Ben Pearce. The ball was shifted right to left a couple of plays later finding youngster Dan Knott who stepped back inside around the recovering Haven defenders to ground for his third score of the campaign. Walker adding the extras from out wide. The contest was over with twelve minutes to go in somewhat controversial circumstances, Jay Weatherill was bringing the ball forward for Haven before meeting Curtis Teare. Teare look to have stripped the ball and lost it forward. The ball was then kicked forward before being bounced back into the hands of Alex Bishop with the Australian grounding the ball. Despite the protests from the Haven players referee Freddie Lincoln awarded the four pointer. Ryan Johnston took over the kicking duties and nailed the conversion. Bishop added the cherry on top of the cake diving over under the sticks taking advantage of a tiring Haven defence to score his second of the afternoon moments before full time hooter sounded.
