Barrow Raiders secure promotion into Championship

Barrow became the first team to win promotion to the Championship for next season following their 48-16 win over Whitehaven on Thursday night.

The Raiders are one of four teams who will be promoted into the sport’s second tier following a restructuring of the league that will see four new teams enter Championship 1. 

Whitehaven trailed 18-6 at half time after failing to convert early possession in to points, with loan-signing Tom Hemingway scoring their only try of the first half.

The home side scored early through Andy Bracek, before Liam Campbell and Lee Haney gave the home side a 12 point lead at the break.

Barrow upped their game in the second half, and blew their Cumbrian rivals out of the game.

James Nixon, Andy Ballard, Liam Harrison and Jamie Butler gave Barrow a 40-6 lead.

Craig Calvert and Jamie Rooney replied for Haven, before Liam Finch put the icing on the cake for the Raiders to earn them an immediate return to the Championship following their demotion at the end of last year.

There will be no relegation from the Championship this season, meaning Barrow will compete against 13 other teams next season.