U14s - Barnsley Vs Moortown

Following the cancellation of their original fixture against Yarnbury, Barnsley Under 14’s hosted Moortown at Shaw Lane this Sunday. With Captain Josh Smith, Jordan Gray and Jacob Bailey all returning from injury and illness; alongside new signings Joe Marsden and Michael Limb the coaches were facing a very welcome selection headache and buoyed by this Barnsley were upbeat about their chances for the game.

From the kick-off both teams showed their commitment to providing a game of entertaining rugby for the spectators on a fine autumnal morning. As the game approached the 10 minute mark the visitors were awarded a penalty about 10 metres from the Barnsley try line. With the hosts slow to react to the referee’s whistle, Moortown took the opportunity to replicate a move from England’s playbook against Tonga, with a quick kick across field to an advancing winger who, despite the scrambling defence of ‘Haggie’ Harrison and Paul Kelly and more than a hint of offside went over to score the first points of the game.

Not daunted by the visitor’s early score Barnsley began to raise the intensity of their play. The forwards were now clearly in control of their counterparts with Ben Thistlewood and Sam Atkinson dominating in the scrum who, alongside Jacob Bailey, Luke Townsend and Sam Owen were keeping their opponents on the back foot at the breakdown and winning more ball and possession in contact than they had a right to expect. But again despite all their possession Barnsley were unable to convert it to points as their guests ran in a further 2 tries to go in at half time with a 19 v 0 lead.

The second half saw Barnsley introduce Joe Marsden on the wing for Aaron Westmoreland who had been untroubled by the visitors in the first half and with some other minor tactical changes in place Barnsley were ready to claw their way back into the game. However all was not going to plan for Barnsley as the visitors ran in a further try almost direct from the kick off.

From the restart Barnsley gathered and set off downfield for what was to become a sustained period of forward pressure. Slowly but surely Barnsley edged their way towards their opponents try line and the only way the visitors could relieve the pressure was to put the ball out of play. That was fruitless however as Barnsley dominated the line out and scrum in what was becoming a procession of possession. The intensity of play was now clearly telling on Moortown as the Barnsley forwards camped out on their try line. The first signs of hope came as both Fred Butcher and Jordan Gray drove over for what looked like Barnsley’s first try of the game; only it wasn’t to be as the referee adjudged the pair to have been held up. From the resultant 5 metre scrum the Barnsley pack drove forward again providing the platform for Kyle Holmes to come from the base of the scrum and just manage to keep control of the ball as he grounded it for Barnsley’s first points.

At the restart, the visitor’s were clearly keen to avoid another forward onslaught and kicked short to the Barnsley backs. How wrong could their have been!!!!!! Michael Limb gathered and set off at great pace from well inside his own half to run a good 60 metres leaving the defenders in his wake to score under the posts.

From the restart the visitors went short again, obviously believing that lightning couldn’t strike twice; and for a moment their hearts must have been in their mouths as Steven Warrior gathered cleanly and set off for glory. Fortunately for the visitors, Steven’s legs aren’t quite as long as Michael’s and they were able to track him down as he approached the half way line.

A final throw of the dice saw Dylan Taylor introduced at tight head prop and although the visitors broke to score a further 3 tries; the last few minutes of the game saw Barnsley once again camping out on their opponents try line. The final play of the game saw Barnsley awarded a 5 metre scrum, from which the home team drove towards the try line; as the back line broke the visitors drove them towards touch. A quick offload saw Jordan Darwin go over for what he believed to be a try only for the referee, who was unsighted to the offload, to blow his whistle for a foot in touch giving the visitors a 43 v 10 victory.

Man of the match awards went to Fred Butcher (Forwards) and Josh Smith (Backs).