Raiders boss rues late response

Clark is now focusing on a Championship play-off place

Barrow head coach Dave Clark believes his players left it too late to produce a comeback in their Northern Rail Cup final defeat by Widnes on Sunday.

Raiders were 22-8 down at the break, and despite a second-half fight-back lost 34-18 and Clark admitted his side had too much to do to claim victory.

"I think the boys were trying a bit too hard to claw back the game," he told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"I'm proud, it's been a fantastic opportunity for the players."

Defeat means Barrow missed out on their first piece of silverware since the Lancashire Cup in 1983, and most importantly a win that would have given their hopes of a Super League franchise a huge boost.

However Clark is already looking ahead to the rest of their Championship campaign, with his side well placed for further success.

"I'm proud to be Barrow head-coach, and I think we've still got plenty to offer," he added.

"We've got to kick on now for Whitehaven on Thursday, we can concentrate in the league and with seven games to go there's a good chance to get in the play-offs now, if we carry on in that way we're playing.

"We can review this game, look at the negatives and then improve them and hopefully keep on competing."

Barrow travel to Whitehaven in the Championship on Thursday night, full commentary is on BBC Radio Cumbria.