Marsh's inspiration allows Barrow to beat elements

Two tries from their centre Iain Marsh inspired Barrow to a 22-6 win against Chorley Lynx yesterday to take the Cumbrians into the top three of the Northern Ford Premiership.

Difficult conditions, with a swirling wind, brought a string of errors, but the home side coped best with the freezing temperatures. Steve Jackson put Barrow ahead on the half-hour, pouncing when Tim Street failed to ground a kick over the try-line from Darren Holt.

On half-time Marsh stretched the home advantage with another touchdown. Tom Kilgannon put Chorley right back into the picture with a 43rd-minute try. While the visitors called the tune for a spell they were held out by stern Barrow tackling. Marsh went over again after 67 minutes to boost Barrow's hopes of victory. With five minutes left the big prop Ian Rawlinson charged over from 20 yards to settle the issue.

Two tries early in the second half sealed a comfortable 36-14 win for Sheffield Eagles in the South Yorkshire derby. An injury-hit Eagles side, with an average age of 22, were too inventive for Doncaster, with their stand-off Gavin Brown outstanding.

Tries from Gareth Dobson and Andy Brent, with Gavin Brown adding two goals and a penalty, gave Sheffield a 14-8 first-half lead. The Dragons stayed in touch with tries from Richard Baker and Paddy Handley, following an interception by Maea David, but were generally held by a determined home defence.

Sheffield made the game safe with tries from Ian Brown and Gareth Hewitt after 44 and 48 minutes to go 24-8 ahead. Martin Moana gave Doncaster brief hope with a try after 56 minutes, Jason Lee adding the goal.

A debut try from Craig Brown and a second try for Ian Brown in the last minute, with Gavin Brown bringing his goals total to six, made it a comfortable win for Sheffield.

Oldham's hopes of playing their first home game of the season were dashed when their fixture with Rochdale was postponed because of a frozen pitch.