THE scoreline suggests a hefty victory for the Raiders, but they didn’t have it all their own way against a Bears side that never gave up the chase.

The home side raced into a 18-0 lead after only 15 minutes, but the cricket score which looked on the horizon, never bore fruit.

The Bears went hunting and came back to 24-12 at the break with a spirited performance.

It was not until 26 minutes into the second half that the Raiders could breath more easily when stand-in winger Harry Swarbrick swept in at the corner to create a 16 points advantage.

The Bears refused to go down without a fight, but the home defence stood firm, with determined tackling in the sweltering heat. Prop Carl Forster returned for the final 15 minutes to put in a sterling display to cap it with two converted tries.

The Bears were first to raid when a deep kick to the corner saw Swarbrick rise only to lose the ball, putting the defence on alert. Another high ball wasn’t dealt with by Swarbrick, but all credit to the player, who had a sound game as the match progressed.

Danny Morrow saved the home line when smashing lively half back Daniel Coates into touch a foot short of the line, however man home supporters on the spot agreed the player had scored.

Barrow then came to life when Dallimore broke downfield, Forster and Carter took play to the line only for Mossop to lose the ball.

The score board began to tick as Dallimore sent Creswell into space and his long ball sent Declan Hulme in at the corner, Dallimore obliging with a touchline goal 6-0.

The score board soon doubled as Carter made a telling break and Mossop was under the posts, Dallimore adding the goal 12-0.

Barrow were now firing on all cylinders going 18-0 ahead, Dallimore was taken out with a high shot and from the tap penalty, Tyson weaved his way through to send Shaw in at the corner, again Dallimore tagging on the conversion.

This seem to inspire the Bears with Coates and Brad Clavering to the fore, and they were rewarded when Coates foxed the home cover to touchdown, he also added the conversion 18-6.

Three minutes later they rocked the home side when Liam Whelham snatched the ball from Creswell's grasp to dot the ball down, Coates converting 18-12 and game on.

The Bears joy was short lived as man of the match Tom Hopkins drove for the line from where a neat short ball from Forster enabled Bustin to crash over, Dallimore closing the half with the goal 24-12.

The first period of the second half belonged to the Bears who piled on the pressure only to find a stubborn defence awaiting them.

It took 26 minutes before further points were added to the board, Forster was held short but from the play the ball, Carter and Creswell swung into action for Swarbrick to dive in at the corner 28-12.

The stuffing was knocked out of the Bears who gave away a penalty that saw Barrow increase their lead after Forster was impeded, from the tap penalty the home side went upfield and it was Forster who was on hand to swoop onto a Carter chip through, that rebounded off the posts, Dallimore goaling 34-12.

Then to round off the scoring Forster showed a neat piece of foot work to round full back Nathan Hill after good work from Jordan Walne, Dallimore making it seven goals from eight attempts. Next weekend it's the big Cumbrian Derby at Workington.

Barrow: Creswell, Swarbrick, Hulme, Tyson, Shaw, Dallimore, Carter, Forster, Mossop, Terrill, Hopkins, Morrow, J Walne

Subs used: Dowsett, McBain, Bustin, Duffy.

Mail Man of the Match: Tom Hopkins.

Attendance: 1,862.