Kingstone Press League 1 Preview: Barrow Raiders v South Wales Scorpions

Barrow Raiders were well beaten by Rochdale Hornets last week.

Coach Paul Crarey said: “We’ve probably got to look at ourselves after last week’s performance at Rochdale. We had the same done to us what we did to Swinton the previous week.

“We conceded a lot of tries down the right, which is uncharacteristic for us. We had only 13 sets in the second half, completed 60 per cent and gave 16 penalties away.

“If we do that against South Wales we’ll get beat so it’s about looking after ourselves, preparing well and just getting back to what we do well which is completing sets, running hard and tackling hard.

“We’re bitterly disappointed after last week’s game so we want a reaction. They are a bit of an unknown quantity for us but if you take anybody lightly you’ll get done.”

Prop Anthony Bate is struggling with a knee problem, full-back Chris Fleming has a thigh strain and prop Andrew Dawson has a shoulder problem but at least front rower Adam Nicholson is back in training.

South Wales Scorpionscoach Mike Grady is expecting a tough game at Barrow:

“They’ve had a mixed bag of results recently – beating Swinton then losing to Rochdale,” he said. “I expect a tough game because there’s a lot of pride at stake when you recruit a lot of local lads like they have done.”

The Scorpions will be without forward Neil Dallimore, who has a rib injury. Morgan Evans has left the club and Osain Phillips is unavailable but prop Anthony Symons should be back.

Grady also has signed three new players from the Widnes area, half back Ryan Millington, utility back Jonny Leather and Australian-born utility forward Micah Manuokafoa.