BARROW Raiders half-back Lewis Charnock believes Bootham Crescent will be one of the "toughest places to go" this year.

The Cumbrians visit York City Knights on Sunday and Charnock reckons the Knights' League One title success last term - where they lost only once at home - and their close opening game this term against odds-on Championship favourites Toronto suggest the Minster city team will be on "a bit of a high".

The Raiders will arrive after following their fine win at Batley with a last-gasp home loss to Sheffield.

Said the 24-year-old: "They're newly promoted and they want to try to prove themselves in the league, which everybody does. York is probably one of the toughest places - including Batley - to go.

"They put up a good game against Toronto in the first week, only being beaten 14-0. With the side Toronto have got not many teams will come that close this year.

"Then they came back from 16-0 down to beat Dewsbury last week. Getting beaten in the first game isn't the best, but they've had two half-decent results so they'll be on a bit of a high.

"We weren't at our best against Sheffield, so we do really need to play well this week and hopefully get the win.

"We had a good win at Batley where we didn't play the best, but we stuck it out and ground it out, which was good.

"The Sheffield game was a bit disappointing because we couldn't back the Batley game up. We weren't at our best, but we were still within two points and only got beaten on the buzzer from a very harsh penalty, so there's still room for improvement."

He added: "We've got 10 new players and we're still getting used to our combinations, so give us time and it will come."