Barrow 30, Whitehaven 0

In many ways the rugby was secondary at Craven Park as tributes to former Whitehaven forward Garry Purdham dominated proceedings.

Gunned down along with 11 other victims in west Cumbria’s massacre just less than a week earlier the Gosforth farmer was t the centre of everyone’s thoughts.

Barrow chairman Des Johnston; his Whitehaven counterpart Dick Razz and Workington’s vice chairman Mark Fryer laid wreaths in the centre of the field ahead of kick-off and before players, official and fans impeccably observed a minute’s silence.

Whitehaven couldn’t dig deep enough to record a fitting victory on the night against a side battling at the opposite end of the Co-operative Championship table. But Purdham’s resilient defensive attributes were reprised by his former team’s efforts, particularly in the first-half.

There wasn’t much doubt that high-flying Barrow were the better side, despite going in on the back of three straight defeats, but Whitehaven’s gritty effort – determined to match the occasion – earned them praise.

It was all square without a point on the board until the 37th minute despite Whitehaven being continually pegged back on defence.

Barrow should have edged in front through Andy Ballard when he sliced through under the posts but knocked-on as he attempted to touchdown.

But it was Ballard who did give Barrow the lead when he collected a Zeb Luisi kick and ran round to score near the posts and Jamie Rooney added the conversion.

Having broken the deadlock Barrow were able to build on that in the second-half and gradually they were able to pull away from their west Cumbrian visitors.

Seven minutes after the restart hooker Nathan Mossop broke through from dummy half to put Brett McDermott over from close range for the second try.

Ten minutes later the powerful Ned Catic broke through a tiring Haven defence and he had Rooney at his elbow to take the pass and go over for the try which he converted.

Martyn Ostler was next to break through taking advantage of hesitancy in the Whitehaven defence when a Rooney kick was left by Derry Eilbeck to roll into touch – and didn’t make it. Liam Harrison collected to race away and the centre put in second rower Ostler..

Late in the game substitute Andy Bracek scored after taking the ball at first man from the ruck and stretched over between the sticks.

WHITEHAVEN: Veivers, Eilbeck, R. Jackson, Tony, Calvert, Rudd, Skee, Amor, Mattinson, Thornley, S. Miller, Hill, Joe. Subs (all used): Ford, Barker, C. Smith, Wilton.

Referee: Rob Hicks

Crowd: 1,920

MAL WALKER was our man at the Recreation Ground. Dick Razz, Des Johnston and Mark Fryer are pictured ahead of the game at the wreath-laying gesture while ex-Haven full-back Gary Brioadbent is on the reciving end of this tackle.

Mal's prints can can be bought at £25 for an A4 framed and £40 for an A3 framed. Prints only are £10 A4 and £15 A3. 

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