Barrow Raiders head coach wishes both sides will beat the drop

In the heart of Cumbrian rugby league, the battle to stave off relegation is heating up, and amidst the high stakes and fervent local rivalry, Barrow Raiders head coach Paul Crarey has shown a rare display of sportsmanship. Despite a crucial 34-14 victory over their arch-rivals Whitehaven, Crarey has expressed a heartfelt wish that both teams manage to escape the relegation zone and secure their place in the Championship for next season.

Crarey’s sentiment is more than a mere platitude. The intensity of the Derby clash was palpable, and the victory has injected a much-needed boost into Barrow’s fight against the drop. However, Crarey’s thoughts extend beyond the confines of his own squad’s ambitions. His comments on the club’s official YouTube channel reveal a deep-seated respect for Whitehaven and a genuine desire for both teams to remain in the competition.

“I’d just like to say I wish Whitehaven all the best in their remaining games,” Crarey said. “I said before the game if I could wave a magic wand for us and them to stay in the Championship, I would do that. All the media stuff at the start is just tongue-in-cheek stuff to raise the profile of the game, so I wish them all the best in their two tough games they’ve got.”

This selfless attitude stands in stark contrast to the usual animosity that often accompanies rivalries in sports. Crarey’s remarks underscore a broader sense of community and mutual respect, even amidst fierce competition. It’s a reminder that, beyond the scoreboard and statistical analyses, rugby league is a sport deeply rooted in camaraderie and local pride.

Despite the emotional and psychological lift provided by the win over Whitehaven, Barrow’s position remains precarious. The team is not yet mathematically secure from relegation, and Crarey is acutely aware of the need for further effort and results. “We’ve got one foot in the Championship at the moment,” he acknowledged. “I think if we beat Widnes (Vikings the final game of the season), I think we’ve got a great chance of stopping up without going through the play-offs, so we’ve got to prepare for that.”

The upcoming fixture against Widnes will be critical for Barrow’s survival in the Championship. Crarey’s focus now shifts to ensuring his team is in the best possible shape to tackle this decisive game. The coach has indicated that injuries may pose a challenge, with key players like Ellis Gillam and Aaron Smith having sustained knocks. “Ellis Gillam looks like he’s done his shoulder, Aaron Smith came off injured, so it won’t be easy,” Crarey said, reflecting the additional hurdles his squad faces.

Furthermore, the match against Whitehaven saw a dramatic conclusion with both sides suffering player dismissals. Greg Worthington from Barrow and Owen McCarron from Whitehaven were both sent off late in the game, adding another layer of complication for the teams. Crarey commented on the situation, “It got tasty with 11 minutes or nine minutes to go, when probably the game had gone for them, and I’m disappointed that we had a man sent off, and they will be disappointed that they got a man sent off, because if it was for fighting it’s a big ban for both teams, so we don’t need that.”

The potential absence of Greg Worthington could impact Barrow’s plans, but Crarey’s focus remains on ensuring his team remains competitive and prepared for the final stretch of the season. “It looks like we will lose Greg. I haven’t seen the incident, so I’ll have a look at that. And they are going to lose Owen. They are big losses for both sides with the remaining fixtures coming up.”

In reflecting on the match itself, Crarey was candid about the nature of the game. While he acknowledged that Whitehaven performed well in the early stages, he felt that Barrow’s ability to adapt and capitalize on opportunities was pivotal in securing the win. “All credit to Whitehaven I thought they were really good in that first spell,” Crarey said. “We opted to play into the wind, we always do, and it is really tough coming out, but committed a few errors that allowed them some field positioning, and I thought they were very good for their early points, and they stuck at it.”

Crarey’s praise for Whitehaven’s performance, despite their defeat, highlights the respect he has for his opponents. He recognized that Whitehaven’s early efforts put Barrow under pressure, and their performance was a testament to their resilience and skill. “It’s something we haven’t really seen from them in the last two games, so credit to their coaching staff for getting them up for it, and for 20 minutes there they looked composed, they threw some nice shape, they supported the ball well and they caused us numerous problems, with the field position we gave them.”

The turning point in the game came with a crucial try from Barrow’s Andrew Bulman. Crarey highlighted this moment as significant, noting that it provided Barrow with the foothold they needed to take control. “Once we got up there, I think the first good ball set we had we scored. It was a tremendous try from Bully (Andrew Bulman). There was no room, and he got in, in the corner, and from then on, we got a foothold in the game, and we scored some nice tries.”

Despite the eventual scoreline suggesting a more one-sided contest, Crarey admitted that the first half was closely contested and that Barrow was fortunate to go into halftime with a narrow lead. “I think we were quite lucky to go in at 14-10 (at half-time). They probably could have scored by the posts, but they got pulled back, which I thought was pretty harsh, if I’m being honest.”

The second half, however, saw Barrow take command, and Crarey was pleased with how his team responded to the pressure. “In the second half we totally dominated the game. It was a great win. There was a lot of pressure on, and it was tetchy towards the end of the first-half, but we always say that the best teams come out on top and win and I would say we just edged it.”

The victory over Whitehaven was not just a boost in terms of points but also in terms of morale and momentum. As Barrow prepares for their final game against Widnes, Crarey’s focus will be on maintaining this positive trajectory and ensuring that his team is ready for the challenges that lie ahead. The fight against relegation is far from over, and every game will be crucial in determining the final standings.

Crarey’s comments and reflections offer a glimpse into the complexities and emotions that define the end-of-season battles in rugby league. While the win over Whitehaven was a significant step, the ultimate goal remains securing Championship status for another year. The rivalry, the injuries, the player dismissals, and the strategic adjustments all contribute to a thrilling and unpredictable finale to the season.

However, Barrow Raiders’ head coach Paul Crarey has demonstrated a commendable level of sportsmanship and respect for their rivals, even as his own team fights for survival. The victory over Whitehaven was a crucial moment in Barrow’s campaign, but the journey is far from complete. With one eye on their final game and the other on the broader context of the league, Crarey and his team will continue to navigate the challenges of the season with determination and resilience.