» February 25th 2001
» Town 31:28 Barrow Border Raiders

Town consolidated their position in the top eight of the league with a pulsating win away to Barrow Border Raiders.

Non-stop action from both sides saw the lead change hands several times in each half. Eventually it was Town who would take the honours and the points.

For Town Tane Manihera and Carl Sice created the chances, Kevin Hetherington was again very impressive and the hard work by the forwards laid the foundations of a well earned win. Darren Holt was in stunning form for Barrow and I don't why the Super League clubs have not been in to sign him as yet. It was the sin-binning of Holt for the last ten minutes of the first half that would be the turning point of the game in Town's favour.

The first scoring chance of the day fell to Barrow after Anthony Murray kicked into the Town in-goal area, but the Town defence were able to let the ball roll out of play.

From the counter attack the forwards took their turn at carrying the ball forward and good yards, which enabled Kevin Hetherington to kick through from the halfway line. The Barrow defence did not deal with the kick, a Barrow player fumbled the ball and Lokeni Savelio swooped onto the loose ball and his pass released Jamie Smith who raced clear and scored against his former team. Kevin Hetherington added the conversion to give Town a 6 - 0 advantage.

Darren Holt was in devastating form and on 9 minutes he made a great run and passed to the hooker Anthony Murray who went in under the posts. Darren Holt converted the kick to tie the scores at 6 - 6.

On 21 minutes Barrow took the lead after Holt again controlling the game. He threw out a long pass, which was collected by Mike Whitehead who went in out wide. Holt missed with the kick to make the score 10 - 6 in Barrow's favour.

Tane Manihera replaced Craig Rumney after 22 minutes and he was soon starting to create chances. With a neat pass he had released Hitro Okesene and the prop was off for the line. Only a try saving tackle from Darren Holt prevented him from scoring.

Barrow extended their lead on 28 minutes after some good work from Brett McDermott was able to pass to the centre Darren Wilson who stretched to reach the line and score. The successful conversion from Holt extended the Barrow lead to 16 - 6.

The game then started to turn in Town's favour. Darren Holt was sin-binned for back chat to the referee and from the penalty Kevin Hetherington was able to reduce the Barrow lead to 16 - 8.

With Holt in the bin Town started to use the extra man. Carl Sice was starting to show what he could do. He made a great break and was able to pass to the supporting Jamie Smith who went on to score his second try. Kevin Hetherington Kicked the conversion to reduce the Barrow lead to 16 - 14.

With half-time drawing near Town played out their set of six and some passing soon gave them good field position. Town launched a high kick to the corner and Neil Frazer was there to collect and score in the corner. Kevin Hetherington missed with the touchline conversion to give Town an 18 -16 lead at halftime.

The second half saw Town continue to control. Kevin Hetherington made a great run that took Town well into the Barrow half. Some good passing from Town created an overlap that enabled Carl Sice to go in for a well deserved try. Kevin Hetherington adding the extra points with a well-taken kick from the touchline.

On 53 minutes Barrow reduced the Town lead. Former Town player Damien Whitter made a strong run into the Town half and some neat passing provided Darren Holt with a scoring opportunity and he took his chance and cut through the Town line to score. Holt added the conversion to reduce the Town lead to 24 - 22.

Barrow were to regain the lead on 62 minutes. Whitter again making good yards and was eventually tacked short of the line. From the play of the ball Holt was able to pass to Gary Charlton who threw the dummy and was able to go in under the posts. Holt added the conversion to give Barrow a 28 - 24 lead.

Some good work from Town from inside their half saw Tane Manihera and Carl Sice create the gaps and some good passing released Graeme Lewthwaite who took the ball just inside the Barrow half and in full flight he was able to evade the tacklers, go around the full-back and go in under the posts. Kevin Hetherington added the conversion to put Town back into the lead 30 - 28.

With time running out Barrow needed to get the ball back. A good set of six saw Town back into the Barrow half and Tane Manihera saw an opportunity and added the drop goal to further extend the Town lead to 31 - 28.

The last few minutes were nerve rattling. Both sides attacking and trying to force the mistake. It was Town who would take control and just play out the sets and eating up the time.

The final hooter was met with relief by the players, and the vocal Town support that had made the journey to Craven Park. Coach Gary Murdock came onto the pitch to congratulate his players and give them well deserved praise.

Tries: Jamie Smith 2, Neil Frazer, Carl Sice and Graeme Lewthwaite
Goals: Kevin Hetherington 5
Drop Goal: Tane Manihera

Town: Jamie Smith, Fata Sini, Neil Frazer, Steve McGrady, Graeme Lewthwaite, Kevin Hetherington, Craig Rumney, Hitro Okesene, Carl Sice, Lokeni Savelio, Jamie Beaumont, Matt Sturm, Anthony Samuel.
Subs: Tane Manihera, Matthew Tunstall, John Allen, Stuart Hoyles

Barrow: Chris Massey, Glen Hutton, Phil Atkinson, Darren Wilson, Jamie Marshall, Brett McDermott, Darren Holt, Tau Liku, Anthony Murray, Willie Burns, Matt Leigh, Mike Whitehead, Gary Charlton.
Subs: Shane Irabor, Mike Kavanagh, Geoff Luxon, Damien Whitter

Referee: Colin Morris (Huddersfield)
Attendance: 976
[reporter's alcoholic content: 7%]