FOLLOWING Sunday’s draw with Super League side London Broncos, Oldham now make the long trip north to face Cumbrian side Barrow Raiders in the third round of the Challenge Cup.
Although Oldham travel with great confidence they will be met by a team in a similar fashion, considering they’re also undefeated in pre-season and two from two in the 1895 cup.
Coach
Barrow have been led by local lad Paul Crarey since his re-appointment in 2014, having previously spent two years as head coach between 2005 and 2007. Crarey, who played for Barrow during the mid 1990s, took charge of the Cumbrian Rugby League side in a recent game against Jamaica in preparation for the World Cup.
One to Watch
Having spent most of his career in Super League with Wigan, Widnes and Salford, Greg Burke made the move to Barrow in 2023.
A big front row forward with plenty of top-level experience, Burke will certainly be one to watch. Given his hunger for the ball, intense drives through middle and his offload game – he will certainly make it tough for the Oldham defence.
Recent Form
Barrow have begun their season in great form with four wins in pre-season, including three against League One opposition. The other win came in Dan Toal’s testimonial where they faced a Barrow and District Rugby League side.
They took the Cumbrian bragging rights with wins over Workington Town and Whitehaven to go top of their 1895 Cup group.
Previous Meetings
Oldham’s last meeting with Barrow, also in the Challenge Cup, came in 2021 where we ran out victors, winning the game 20-6.
You have to go back to 2015 for the prior competitive meeting between the two sides.
During that season, the spoils were shared with both sides winning at home in each league fixture.
It was during this season the two sides also met in the now retired League One Cup, which Oldham won 32-10.
