Kingstone Press League 1 preview: Barrow Raiders v Swinton Lions

Barrow Raiders are doing it tough at the moment, according to coach Paul Crarey.

“We’re a bit busted,” he said. “We are a little bit off where we need to be but we’re starting to get bodies back, we should have Craig Briscoe, Joe Bullock, Josh Ward available and maybe Andrew Dawson.

“With home support we’re looking to put up a good challenge against Swinton. They’ve got a good squad. They’ve built on what they had last year, they’ve bought wisely and have a lot of quality in the side.

“This is a real physical division and our lads have to get up to speed with that but as the season goes on we’ll learn.

“With the senior players they’ve got, we’re expecting it to be real tough. Having played on Tuesday they’ll be looking to slow everything down and we’ve got to speed everything up so we’re looking for a quick game.”

Swinton Lions beat Newcastle Thunder on Tuesday to go through into the iPro Sport Cup final which John Duffy, the coach, believes is massive for the club.

“There’s been doom and gloom around here for a few years so it’s nice to see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.

“I’m glad for the boys because they’ve been great all the way through pre-season but we’re going to have to look after them because we’ve got a big game at Barrow on Saturday.

“It’s never easy up there and after two games in four days we’re going to have to go up there with a good attitude and play tough.”