Raiders snap up amateur duo

Barrow Raiders have snapped up two of Cumbria’s brightest amateur talents.

Hooker Brad Marwood, who plays for Barrow Island, and Millom forward Andrew Dawson have penned one-year deals with the club.

Raiders coach Darren Holt and assistant Phil Atkinson have been scouring the amateur game in recent weeks and have given the pair a chance to impress in the professional ranks.

Holt told the North West Evening Mail: “Having watched these two play and seen the potential there, the club decided to offer them contracts to turn professional and they both decided to.

“I have been out and watched them play, but to be honest, I knew about Brad and Andrew before from feedback from different people in the game.

“Myself and Acky (Atkinson) stood and watched them and we decided that the club was very interested in inviting them down.”

Marwood spent time with Warrington Wolves as a junior but it was his performances for Barrow Island this season that caught the eye.

Holt said: “The games I saw Brad play, he was often the only player on the pitch who played with his head up. He is very intelligent out of dummy half.

“He’s not the biggest lad, but some of the best players in the world aren’t the biggest lads. He has a nice little short kicking game.

“With Nathan Mossop deciding to go elsewhere, we needed to strengthen in that position and I think Brad will certainly do that.”

Holt was also impressed by Dawson, who is comfortable playing as a prop or second rower, and is tipping the Millom man to make an impact in Co-operative Championship One.

“He’s very, very strong going forward, very good technically,” he said.

“I think if he gets down to training, knuckles down, integrates into the systems well, then he could have a very big impact in his first professional season.”