BARROW play their biggest game of the season tomorrow when they go to St Helens in search of the biggest shock in Challenge Cup history.
Close to 2,000 Raiders supporters are expected to make the trip down the M6 to Knowsley Road to see their side play in the club’s first quarter-final since 1979 (3pm kick-off).
Coach Steve McCormack will lead his side out for the last cup game at the famous ground, hoping to cause an upset and knowing just what the tie means to both the club and the town.
“This is definitely the biggest game of the season so far,” he said. “I think if you ask any coach, they will always say the next game is the biggest one, but especially for us now.
“It’s the quarter-final of the Challenge Cup, against a fantastic side in St Helens.
“It’s the last Challenge Cup game at Knowsley Road with the tradition they have had – it’s a massive tie for us and we are really looking forward to it.”
Forward Andy Bracek is one man in particular who is pumped up for tomorrow’s game as he faces his former club.
He knows it will take a mammoth effort to knock Saints out of the competition, but he expects the Barrow fans to get their money’s worth on admission.
“We have just got to try and match them in every department and throw everything we can at them,” he said.
“In a competition like the Challenge Cup, every game is an absolute cracker – that’s what the cup is all about. To be playing a side like Saints, who play some real flowing, entertaining football, will be even better.
“It’s what you strive to accomplish as a player – to play at the top level and compete against the best athletes, that’s the only way to test yourself right to the limit.”
Barrow reached the last eight after wins over amateurs Hunslet Warriors, Super League Castleford and then Hunslet Hawks.
McCormack feels the draw could have been kinder to Barrow after their exploits, but added: “I’m disappointed we didn’t get a home draw, because I think we would have absolutely packed this stadium out and the town would have been buzzing. But the town is buzzing for the away trip to Saints.
“It’s a difficult one, an exciting one, but it means a lot. I think we have earned the right to be in the quarter-finals of one of the best cup competitions in the world, and for a club like ourselves, it puts us in the spotlight.”
Barrow will put Liam Campbell (knee) and Zeb Luisi (ankle) through late fitness tests ahead of tomorrow’s clash.
Andreas Bauer will make his first appearance since returning from Carcassonne in the centre, while youngster Andrew Cairns has been called up from the reserves as half-back cover. For Saints, Ad Gardner is out with a rib problem, Francis Meli has hamstring injury, while Nick Fozzard and Gary Wheeler should return.
Whatever the result, Raiders chairman Des Johnston said: “The support Barrow will be taking, the people of St Helens will come to realise that Barrow fans are the icing on the cake – they are fantastic.”
Raiders (from): Broadbent, McGillvary, Bauer, Harrison, Ballard, Rooney, Campbell, Luisi, Bracek, Roberts, Mossop, Young, McDermott, Knowles, Noone, Fletcher, Catic, Butler, Cairns.
