This Monday 7th March sees us back on home turf in Betfred Championship action as we entertain Barrow Raiders, live on Premier Sports.
Following our exit from the Challenge Cup, our focus now turns to the league as we look to make it five wins from our opening five games, continuing our strong start to the season.
FORM GUIDE
The Cumbrian outfit have also started the season well, winning three out of three and remaining unbeaten, they also progressed to the next round of the Challenge Cup after overcoming League One side Rochdale Hornets at the Crown Oil Arena last weekend.
Barrow’s opening three league games saw them come up against Sheffield Eagles, fellow Cumbrian side Whitehaven and Newcastle Thunder. Round One saw them come away with a 22-10 victory over the South Yorkshire side at the Matt Johnston Prestige Stadium.
At a Cumbrian Derby at the Recreation Ground in Round Two, the Raiders came up against Whitehaven in a throwback game of rugby played in torrential rain and hailstone. Barrow finished 18-4 winners to take themselves to two from two in the opening rounds.
The most recent league game was played again in awful conditions against Newcastle Thunder where the Raiders ran out 14-6 winners in another low scoring contest to make them three from three.
Their game against Bradford Bulls was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Odsal so they remain with three wins from their opening three fixtures. We will be going head to head and looking to end their unbeaten start to the Betfred Championship campaign.
ONES TO WATCH
Josh Wood – Wood is a new recruit for the 2022 season and has bags on Super League experience after playing for Salford and Wakefield in the Super League competition. The hooker will take off on any quick play-the-balls in the middle of the field and is known for his aggression and good contact in defence. We will be looking to ensure that he does not have any opportunities to utilize his speed out of 9 and will have to be tight around the middle of the park defensively to nullify his running threat.
Hakim Miloudi – French international Miloudi joined the Raiders in 2021 in their quest for promotion from League One. Miloudi was formerly at Hull FC and Toronto Wolfpack in the Super League. A maverick rugby player who plays what he sees, Miloudi will be a threat due to his unpredictability and big frame close to the line. Playing on the right edge on the Raiders back line, our left side defence will have to close down his space and give him little time to think on the ball.
Jarrod Sammut – Maltese international Sammut is entering the twilight of his career and is a senior player at Barrow in a pivotal position on the field. Another Raider who has a wealth of Super League experience after coming over to England in 2010 to play for Welsh outfit Crusaders. He has also represented Bradford, Wakefield, London, and Wigan. Sammut is another player who plays what he sees and his footwork, stepping back on the inside to take advantage of lazy defensive efforts is a big part of his attacking threat. He is also a high percentage goal kicker.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
9/6/2019 – Widnes Vikings 38 – 14 Barrow Raiders
10/3/2019 – Barrow Raiders 4 – 20 Widnes Vikings
LEAGUE FORM GUIDE
Widnes Vikings
London Broncos 12 – 34 Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings 70 – 18 Workington Town
Halifax Panthers 8 – 9 Widnes Vikings
Dewsbury Rams 10 – 36 Widnes Vikings
Barrow Raiders
Barrow Raiders 22 – 10 Sheffield Eagles
Whitehaven 4 – 18 Barrow Raiders
Barrow Raiders 14 – 6 Newcastle Thunder
TICKET INFO
You can buy tickets for the game from our Club Shop at Widnes Market on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Alternatively, you can purchase online via the button below. Tickets are just £5 for children and £10 for adults, and every adult/concession who buys a ticket will be entered into our free prize draw for a Nissan Micra worth £14,500 in our Bristol Street Battle in partnership with Bristol Street Motors Nissan Widnes.
