Purdham was shot dead in West Cumbria last week

It was always going to be an emotional occasion.

Barrow versus Whitehaven is always a white-hot Cumbrian derby in rugby league, but the recent events in the latter town made Tuesday's Championship encounter even more poignant.

The death of former Whitehaven and Workington Town player Garry Purdham a week ago in the shootings across West Cumbria affected all three of the county's rugby league clubs.

Purdham had remained friends with players and staff at Haven and Town following his retirement from the professional game in 2008, while Raiders coach Steve McCormack also knew the 31-year-old from his spell with the Marras at the Recreation Ground.

Raiders won the game by 30 points without reply from their West Cumbrian rivals, with members of all three clubs in attendance, leaving McCormack to reflect on an emotional evening.

"This is one of the only games I've not looked forward to coming to, I know how it's affected people at Whitehaven what's happened over the week, and I've got a lot of close friends up there as everyone at Barrow has," McCormack told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"It's a game which I really felt saddened to the pit of my stomach, talking to people here and from Whitehaven it's been a strange night.

"I felt the tribute to Garry and the people before the game was fantastic, and just goes to show what not only the Cumbrian people, but everybody are feeling.

"The game pales into insignificance."

For Haven, defeat was disappointing in a fiercely-contested derby, and with a home game against Sheffield and further tributes to Purdham to follow, coach Ged Stokes is already concerned about his side's chances of ending their run of six consecutive defeats.

"There's no doubt there will be an emotional side of things," Stokes said.

"But on the physical side we looked a little small out there and Barrow are a very big side like Sheffield will be and it'll be another hard day at the office."

Rugby league is a big draw in Cumbria, and with Barrow ticking the box for Super League with last season's Championship Grand Final win against Halifax, genuine hunger remains for the game in one of its traditional heartlands.

Such enthusiasm was on show with the attendance of Workington fans, not only there to enjoy a feast of rugby but also to pay their respects to a former player.

And Barrow coach McCormack was touched by the response of all supporters to the tributes ahead of the game.

"You could have heard a pin drop in that minutes silence," McCormack added.

"It was a terrific effort from the Barrow fans and the Whitehaven fans, and the Workington fans, the whole of Cumbria is united tonight, it's been a unique night."

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