Barrow coach likens Dan Toal to Wigan and England star
Dan Toal in action against Newcastle Thunder. Photo courtesy of Barrow Raiders.
Barrow head coach Paul Crarey has likened forward Dan Toal to Wigan and England star John Bateman.
The Raiders defeated full-time Newcastle Thunder in the club’s second pre-season test at the Matt Johnson Prestige Stadium.
Barrow trailed 16-12 at half-time and fell further behind. However, 22-unanswered points in the final 30 minutes saw the hosts wrap up a battling victory at the Matt Johnson Prestige Stadium.
Ryan Shaw accumulated a personal tally of 18 points, with two tries and five goals, while Jarrod Sammut made his first appearance for the club in the halves.
However, it was Dan Toal who caught the attention of boss Crarey, comparing him to the likes of Wigan skipper Bateman,
Dan Toal impresses head coach
Crarey said: “I thought Dan Toal reminded me of John Bateman at Wigan.
“We put him in the centres then moved him into the middle later on in the game when people were tired.
“He was efficient on the edge and efficient in the middle, and that’s what you’ve got to do.”
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Barrow victorious over full-time Thunder
Ellis Gillam, Hakim Miloudi, Danny Langtree, Shaw (2) and Ryan Johnston all crossed for tries in the club’s victory.
Craig Mullen featured at full-back for Thunder, while Connor Bailey partnered Jake Shorrocks in the halves.
Sam Hallas, Mullen, Isaac Nokes and Jack Johnson all crossed for Thunder.
“I thought we were too comfortable in the first half, going through the motions a little bit,” Crarey said.
“We didn’t have much composure in the first half, and that led to us being in a little bit of trouble.
“Second half, though, [we had] masses of composure; 86% completion, good structure and we scored some really nice tries.”
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Ryan Shaw captains Raiders
Shaw captained the side for the first time, playing a major role in the club’s two victories so far. They opened their pre-season with a win over Workington.
“He’s been outstanding,” Crarey said on Shaw.
“He can play wing, centre, full-back, and that’s the thing with our side.
“I thought Ellis Gillam was outstanding too. He’s solid, runs hard, and has good skills. He’s an honest guy, a great kid with a great attitude.”
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