Barrow winger James Nixon is aiming to erase memories of the Raiders’ Northern Rail Cup final defeat by helping his team to victory over Halifax in Sunday’s Co-operative Championship Finals day at the Halliwell Jones.

Nixon, who has scored 31 tries this season, is determined to continue the form that saw Barrow finish top of the Co-operative Championship, just a point clear of Sunday’s opponents Halifax.

Nixon said: “This year everyone’s talking about what we’ve achieved so far, topping the league and reaching the Northern Rail Cup Final. I think it was beyond anyone’s expectations, if I’m honest.

“It’s a big achievement for any player to play in any sort of Grand Final. It’s going to be a huge occasion for everyone.”

Nixon’s try-scoring exploits have earned him a place in the Co-operative All-Star team and a call-up to the Scotland national side for the forthcoming European Cup. The achievements have come as something of a surprise but the 24-year-old is determined to avoid a repeat of the Northern Rail Cup Final result when they were beaten 34-18 by Widnes Vikings.

Now in his seventh season with Barrow, Nixon, who turned his back on a chance to join Harlequins last year, hopes his club’s recent success will propel him into the engage Super League with Barrow in 2012.

“Every player wants to play at the peak of the game. I was given the opportunity with Harlequins last year but I turned them down,” he said.

“I’d love to play for my hometown team in probably the best league in the world. But there’s a long way to go yet.

“Considering it was my first season in the Championship after a couple of seasons in the lower level I wasn’t expecting to make it into the All-Star team let alone score 31 tries.”

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

Download the latest Co-operative podcast by either going to iTunes http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?i=59546871&id=330207663 or visit www.therfl.co.uk and access it from there.