BARROW RAIDERS fullback Luke Cresswell isn’t getting carried away with either his or his team’s form in pre-season.
But the long-serving local (he emerged from community club Barrow Island) believes the foundations are there for an improved campaign.
Barrow made the play-offs back in 2022, the year after promotion as League One champions, but ended up eleventh in both seasons after that.
Long-serving coach Paul Crarey (his second stint started in September 2014 after he previously held the position between October 2005 and October 2007) has responded by making four signings.
Outside back Curtis Teare and second rower Ryan King have moved from Whitehaven and halfback Alex Bishop and backrower Ellis Robson from Keighley (Salford prop Jamie Pye is in on loan, but can be recalled).
A Red Devils reserve side was defeated 58-12 as Barrow made it three wins from three pre-season games (Whitehaven were seen off 42-4 and Workington beaten 24-12, with both matches also taking place at the Northern Competitions Stadium).
Crarey’s team notched 25 tries over the trio of contests with Cresswell getting three of them as he approaches his tenth season on the first-team scene.
And the 29-year-old, who has appeared 147 times, crossing for 59 tries, in competitive action for Barrow, and in October signed a two-year contract extension, believes that can provide the platform for a higher finish this time around.
“Pre-season has gone as well as it could,” he said.
“We have worked hard as a group and I think it has shown in the opening games.
“It’s important to get a solid block of fitness, because the games will come thick and fast once we get into the swing of the season.”
On the new additions, he added: “It really doesn’t feel like they are.
“We have gelled well since we started in November, and they have all brought new qualities to the table.”
