Barrow put 100% record on the line against Workington in Cumbrian Derby

In sport, there’s nothing bigger than derby day, and this weekend Barrow face neighbours Workington in the first Cumbrian derby of the League 1 season, with both sides looking for bragging rights and the all important two points.

Barrow come into the game with a perfect 100% record in League 1 so far this season, sitting top of the table. They were though made to work hard for last week’s 24-14 win over the London Skolars, with experienced half-back Jamie Dallimore’s boot being the difference between the sides as he converted all four of his team’s tries.

Paul Crarey’s squad have been rocked with injuries in this campaign though, captain Jarrad Stack the latest to join Ben Harrison on the sidelines ahead of the Skolars game. With Dan Toal still serving a lengthy suspension, head coach Crarey will be hoping his team still have enough quality in their ranks to make it another win in their bid for promotion back to the Championship.

This weekend’s opponents Workington are hot on the tails of their rivals however, currently sitting in 2nd place, and have only lost one game so far this season.

‘Worky’ won in dramatic fashion last week, scoring after the final hooter had sounded against Rochdale Hornets to earn another impressive two points after a hard fought game that had been 28-28 until Carl Forber intercepted a pass and scored to earn his side the victory.

Workington head coach Chris Thorman has built a strong side at Derwent Park, mixing experience from the likes of Jamie Doran and Carl Forber with the youth of players from clubs nearby, such as Ethan Bickerdike and Hanley Dawson.

Crarey has also always had a similar set-up at the ‘Raiders’, and with a bumper crowd expected at the Matt Johnson Prestige Stadium on Sunday afternoon, both coaches will be hoping their players can deliver and pick up the two points.

Head-to-Head

Last time the two teams met in league action was in 2017, where Barrow ran out comfortable 36-14 winners, as   Shane Toal grabbed a brace alongside Jamie Dallimore.

On that occasion, Tee Ritson scored for Workington but this time around will be looking to score against them having joined Barrow back in 2018, and recently signed a new three-year deal with the Raiders until 2024.

Town’s last competitive win against Barrow came in the Championship seven years ago, Carl Forber starring that day with two tries and four conversions in his side’s 32-18 victory.

More recently, the pair met back in April of this year ahead of the new season in a friendly, and it was Barrow who earned the bragging rights that day, triumphing 28-18.

The Raiders will be looking for a repeat of that come this game day, while visitors Workington will be seeking revenge while trying to bring a sharp end to Barrow’s unbeaten league record.

Players To Watch

The game has the potential to evolve around the battle of the half-backs, with Workington’s duo of Jamie Doran and Carl Forber going up against Barrow’s equivalent in Jamie Dallimore and Jake Carter. The latter of those – Carter – made a try-scoring return from injury last weekend in the capital in the win over the Skolars .

Doran and Forber have been ever presents at Workington throughout the last few seasons, with their ball playing skills and leadership around the pitch earning them high appraisal from some as being amongst the best pairings in the league. If ‘Worky’ are to have any chance of beating the league leaders, those two will be absolutely vital.

Meanwhile, in the opposition’s camp, Dallimore has been at Barrow for the last few seasons now, and this campaign has been paired up with the young Carter. The two have struck up a partnership similar to that of Doran and Forber, and it’s possible that whoever comes out on top in this battle could reign supreme on the scoreboard come the final hooter too.

Away from the half-backs, both team’s have wingers to watch out for. Barrow’s Ritson is already into double figures for the season in terms of try scoring while Workington’s Alex Young is also in fine form.

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt