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York Knights will be seeking to record their first victory of the 2024 Betfred Championship when they visit fellow winless side Barrow Raiders at the Matt John Prestige Stadium on Sunday (3pm).
York have fallen to consecutive defeats in the opening two rounds of the 2024 Betfred Championship, losing out to Doncaster RLFC (36-20) at the Eco-Power Stadium before Toulouse Olympique (14-20) came out on top at the LNER Community Stadium on Easter Sunday.
The Knights' search for their first league points of the season continues in Cumbria this weekend, taking on a Barrow side that are also yet to get off the mark so far in 2024.
Barrow were handily beaten away to early league leaders Widnes Vikings 44-8 on the opening weekend before Cumbrian rivals Whitehaven edged a thriller 23-22 at the LEL Arena on Good Friday.
The Raiders return to the Matt John Prestige Stadium for the first time in the league this weekend and will be hopeful of making their home ground a fortress again in 2024.
Of the 17 league points that Barrow notched up last year, 11 of those were gathered on home soil, with victories over Halifax Panthers (16-12) and Bradford Bulls (46-12) among their stand-out triumphs.
That home record was vital in Barrow avoiding the drop, finishing just a point above second-from-bottom Keighley Cougars. As Paul Crarey's side aim for a season away from the drop zone, the Raiders have reinforced their squad with more than 10 new additions.
Loose forward James Greenwood and centre Matty Costello have arrived from Salford Red Devils, half-back Brad Walker has joined from Keighley while young Wigan Warriors props Ramon Silva and Harvey Makin will provide some youthful exuberance.
The Knights make the trip to Cumbria for the first time since late September's 31-18 victory at Barrow which sealed an against-the-odds finish inside the Betfred Championship Play-Off places.
Oli Field, Ronan Michael and AJ Towse tries put York 18-0 and while second-half scores from Ryan Johnston, Andrew Bulman and Tom Wilkinson ensured a competitive finish, Ukuma Ta'ai and Brenden Santi crossed the whitewash to hand the visitors a decisive two points.
York Knights Head Coach Andrew Henderson will be able to call upon the services of full-back Will Dagger and loose forward Jordan Thompson, who have yet to feature thus far in the league due to suspension.
Half-back Richie Myler (elbow), prop Bailey Antrobus (ACL) and centre Levi Edwards (ACL) remain sidelined with injury.
York Knights will be seeking their first victory of the 2024 Betfred Championship when they visit Barrow Raiders on Sunday (3pm) at the Matt Johnston Prestige Stadium. Tickets are available to purchase by clicking HERE.
