WOLVES centre Brent Grose has paid tribute to Barrow Raiders for their Carnegie Challenge Cup fifth-round performance at The Halliwell Jones Stadium on Sunday.

He admitted he was surprised that the part-time National League Two leaders, who were missing their regular scrum half Darren Holt as well as overseas stars Michael Smith and Pat Weisner, did not fade away late in the 48-16 defeat against one of Super League's big guns.

Grose said: "We were disappointed with a few little areas in our game but credit to Barrow.

"I thought they completed their sets well and played pretty well.

"It was a pretty physical game but I thought we were in control from the start, although Barrow went from strength to strength with their performance.

"They've obviously trained quite hard and they're a good bunch of fellas who have been together for a while.

"I was a bit surprised they didn't drop off later in the game but credit to them and good luck to them for the rest of the season."

* There will be more from Brent Grose in Thursday's Warrington Guardian.