Johnson’s quartet not enough to save Panthers from Barrow defeat
Alfie Johnson grabbed four tries for Halifax Panthers but it wasn’t enough to avoid a 28-20 defeat to Barrow Raiders in Sunday’s Betfred Championship round 23 match at the Shay.
The hosts dominated the opening stages with Johnson going over twice in the first 10 minutes to open up an 8-0 advantage.
Barrow reduced the arrears on 13 minutes when Ellis Gillam barged over from close range and Brad Walker converted from out wide.
An offside penalty on the half hour allowed Walker to level the match and another penalty three minutes later was again punished by Walker as Raiders took the lead for the first time.
That advantage was extended shortly before the interval when Charlie Emslie cut through to touch down. Walker added the extras to give his team a 16-8 lead at the break.
Barrow continued to dominate on the resumption and when Fax failed to deal with the kick-off, Andrew Bulman touched-down in the corner with only two minutes played. Walker kicked from the touchline to make it 22-8.
The rot was stopped on 51 minutes when the ball was worked out to Johnson for his hat-trick try and Carter added the conversion.
But another home error was punished on the hour, the hosts handing over possession on their own 10-metre line before Emslie scored his second converted try of the game.
The Raiders’ loss of discipline in the final stages allowed Halifax to make the most of their numerical advantage with a fourth, self-converted, try from Johnson, but it was no more than a consolation.