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Page last updated at 11:57 GMT, Friday, 28 May 2010 12:57 UK

Barrow out to prove Super League credentials

CARNEGIE CHALLENGE CUP QUARTER-FINAL
Venue: Knowsley Road Date: Saturday, 29 May Kick-off: 1500 BST
Coverage: Full match commentary on BBC Radio Cumbria, score updates on BBC Radio 5 Live & the BBC Sport website, highlights on the Super League Show

Clockwise from top right - St Helens celebrate, Barrow at Wembley in 1955, Gary Broadbent with Salford in 1999 and Steve McCormack
Barrow coach Steve McCormack (top left) and Gary Broadbent (bottom left) will face a Saints side (top right) with Challenge Cup history

Barrow Raiders will be looking to prove their Super League credentials when they travel to Knowsley Road to face St Helens in Saturday's Challenge Cup quarter-final.

On paper the game is a formality. Saints lifted three Challenge Cup titles in a row from 2006-2008, while Barrow's last success in the competition came in 1955, having lost to Featherstone in their last final appearance in 1967.

However, despite their Challenge Cup drought, Barrow have proved a successful outfit in the Championship, with a Grand Final win and a Northern Rail Cup final outlining their qualities.

And having already accounted for Castleford Tigers in this season's competition, another side in a loftier position than the Raiders, Steve McCormack's side retain belief in their ability to spring a shock despite the quality of the opposition.

"Whenever you play Saints you know exactly what they're going to throw at you," McCormack told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"If you concentrate too much on what St Helens will do then you probably wouldn't get off the coach.

"They're a fantastic side, however so are we, and we can play some good stuff and anyone who went to Castleford will testify that.

"Anything can happen in cup football, we're not going there to lie down. We know Saints are phenomenal and they've got good individuals and we know, looking at the 19-man squad Mick Potter's picked, they're not taking us lightly.

"We intend to go there and put on a good show not only for ourselves but for our supporters as well."

Although imports including former Wakefield pivot Jamie Rooney, Jermaine McGilivary and Anthony Blackwood have added modern Super League flair and quality to the Raiders side, the influence of skipper Gary Broadbent has been a key factor in the club's recent success.

Having tasted the top division himself with Salford City Reds earlier in his career, the veteran full-back revealed his pride at leading his side against one of rugby league's most prestigious clubs.

"It's a very proud moment for every one of us in that 17-man squad," Broadbent added.

"To go down there, to reach a quarter-final, to go there as massive underdogs, to go to the stand-out teams in Super League, it's a massive occasion for the whole of Barrow.

"When you get down there and see the blue and white, hopefully it'll be a great moment for the fans, and the players will get a boost when they go out there for the warm-up and see all the fans.

"It'll be a good occasion, if we can perform on the pitch."

BBC Radio Cumbria has full match commentary of the game on FM, AM and online at bbc.co.uk/cumbria from 1400 BST.



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see also
St Helens overcome gutsy Barrow
29 May 10 |  Rugby League
Castleford 28-34 Barrow
18 Apr 10 |  Rugby League
Raiders coach expects improvement
25 Mar 10 |  Rugby League
Raiders return for centre Bauer
26 May 10 |  Rugby League
Raiders bring in Crusaders centre
18 Mar 10 |  Rugby League
McCormack seeks more from Raiders
24 Feb 10 |  Rugby League


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