Barrow Raiders v Halifax

Co-operative Championship Qualifying Semi-Final

Thursday September 17 – Live on Sky Sports 3 – KO 7:30pm

Barrow boss Dave Clark is aiming to book another final place when his side host Halifax on Thursday night.

Having already taken the Raiders to this year’s Northern Rail Cup Final, Clark knows that victory on Thursday will see his men secure a place in the Co-operative Championship Grand Final at Warrington.

But the man who was replaced by Steve Deakin – and then reinstated when Deakin left the Cumbrian club – admits that beating Halifax will be a new challenge.

The Raiders have lost three times against Fax in 2009, including two defeats in the Co-operative Championship.

Clark said: “We lost by two points at home and by six points away. They were two close games so I’m looking forward to this one. It should be a really tasty clash.”

He added: “We’ll just concentrate on our own performance and if the result goes our way then that will be because we’ve done well with our performance.”

Martin Ostler has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a broken leg against Sheffield while Jamie Butler is also missing after chipping a bone in his patella.

Halifax boss Matt Calland could spring a surprise by fielding Matt James in Thursday’s crucial clash.

Calland said: “Matt James is in the squad, so he’s in contention.”

He added: “This is a massive game and we’ll be going there all guns blazing.”

Jon Goddard is expected to return to Halifax’s squad after recovering from a recent back injury.

Tickets for the Co-operative Championships Finals Day at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington on Sunday October 4 are now available by calling the RFL Ticket Hotline on 0844 856 11 13 or by visiting www.rugbyleaguetickets.co.uk