COUGARS returned to action after a near three-week absence with a narrow 18-14 away defeat against League One promotion rivals Barrow Raiders at Craven Park.

This was only after the game received the go-ahead at 9am yesterday morning following a pitch inspection brought about by the heavy rain that had battered Cumbria.

Paul March’s side had the better of the opening stages with the Raiders’ struggling to keep up with their positive attacking play, and this finally paid off shortly after the ten minute mark when Hamish Barnes manoeuvred through a gap to race over the line.

With the home side suffering from ill-discipline, the Cougars’ continued to turn the screw and reaped the rewards when Adam Brook’s grubber into the in-goal area was touched down by Ritchie Hawkyard.

The home side’s first real attack nearly brought with it their first try but Josh Lynam proved to be the try-saver, touching down the Dan Abram kick before Chris Hankinson to force the dropout.

There was no denying the former Leigh man a second time though, as from the dropout, Barrow pressured the line and Hankinson managed to squeeze over in the left-hand corner to bring the hosts within four points heading into the half-time interval.

The home side did get over in the 66th minute when full-back Ryan Fieldhouse broke the Cougars line and rounded two would-be tacklers to put the home side into the lead following a great conversion from Hankinson.

The Cougars re-took the lead five minutes from time in controversial circumstances when, from a free play, Paul White kicked on Aaron Nicholson’s chip over the top and appeared to dive over the ball. After consultation between the officials, the try was awarded.

Barrow regrouped quickly though, and after winning the short kick-off, the Raiders pushed on and Fieldhouse found his way through for his second of the afternoon to restore the lead and ensure the hosts' victory.