BARNSLEY RUFC U16 MATCH REPORT

SHAW LANE, SUNDAY 10th FEBRUARY 2008, 11AM KICK OFF.
OPPONENTS – BRUFC U17’S
REFEREE – BRYN GREY
SCORE –BARNSLEY U 16’S – 17 BRUFC U17’S – 18

U17’S PULL OFF “THE GREAT ESCAPE”

Although clearly not a scheduled fixture, the U16’s approached this game as if it were.

The idea was that the U17’s should take the match seriously in order to provide some stern opposition after Driffield had cried off. U17 coach Steve Lister Snr would have undoubtedly instilled in his lads that this was a game to be taken seriously, but on the morning of the game I’m afraid some of his charges appeared to think that this was going to be a stroll in the park for them. They were very quickly disavowed of this feeling.

I cannot remember seeing the lads as collectively determined, focussed on the cause, and under dynamic leadership, that of stand in Captain Marlon Wragg.

The game got underway and a titanic struggle ensued, some of our older players were clearly caught cold. The U16’s were competitive in every department of the game.

I have never seen the lads tackle, ruck, maul, scrum, and attack the lineout with such sustained ferocity and conviction. The U17’s were visibly rattled.

Although the U16’s didn’t put together that many clear attacking opportunities (neither did the U17’s) a break involving Grant Powell and Jamie Linacre was held just short of the line.
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However the first to strike blood were the U17’s, their pacey backs finally exploiting an overlap to score in the corner. This was after 29 minutes! 0 –5

A further move involving Brad Wood and Captain Wragg also failed to come off just before half time. GAME ON.
Any thoughts that the U16’s had run out of gas and fighting spirit were soon dispelled at the start of the second half.
A symptom of the U17’s nervousness was illustrated by electing to kick for goal at a penalty they were awarded. It missed.

The subsequent U16 attack from the 22 drop out was one of relentless ferocity involving almost every team member finished in a Herculean effort by Captain Wragg. A superb try.

The U17’s knew they had to respond, and they did, seizing on loose ball as the U16’s ran out of defence, to chip through and win the race for the score. 5 – 10

The U16’s responded in kind, our half backs Churchill and Mynett had the edge over their opposite numbers, and at long last they received some quick ball that they could use to get the backs firing on all cylinders.

After Churchill just missed a penalty shot at goal, the team rampaged their way to the U17 line where they won a 5m scrum.

A quick strike, quick ball, and Churchill saw the gap on the blindside. He went for it like a shot from a gun, leaving despairing tacklers in his wake to score under the posts. Another Superb try. Churchill converted his try. 12 –10
Now the U17’s were really worried, they were at this point in the game second best in almost every department. The more cohesive team were the U16’s.

The U17’s struck back with a penalty kick. 12 –13

But then came an awesome move, again involving most of the team, the catalyst being Brad Wood. Quick, precise passes, direct strong running, great ball retention, ferocious driving rucking and mauling, resulting in another awesome try for Captain Wragg in the corner. Unfortunately Churchill could not convert. 17 - 13

Disastrously for the U16’s the restart was not gathered, an U17 runner put in a somewhat fortuitous chip kick, got a kindly bounce to touch down. 17 – 18

However, the only team that seemed capable of winning were the U16’s, the last minutes saw some of the most ferocious, dynamic rugby I’ve ever seen us play. It started with Jordan Hulme’s precision chip kick to force a 5m defensive line out, he meant it, honest! Then Adam Walshaw, being just being forced into touch with the try line begging (it was the best game I’ve seen Adam play, he didn’t put a foot wrong.). Then Brad Wood’s last gasp storming effort which almost everyone – the ref and Steve Lister Snr excepted, believed had won the game, only to be brought back for an infringement.

The game finished, much to the relief of the U17’s and to the justifiable disappointment of the U16’s.

Whilst this report is unashamedly biased, it is not in the realms of fantasy, the best team lost! A rare rugby event.
For the U17’s ( who are undoubtedly a good team in their own rite) NEVER underestimate the opposition.
For the U16’s – You did it! We knew you could do it, You’re clearly capable of doing it, So do it! Week in – week out. The answer is in your own minds, Mark has guided you, you need to put all you’ve learned into practise. Only you can sustain this performance level.

Man of the match for U16’s – For me the entire team, but if there has to be one I’d pick MARLON WRAGG who was the heart, soul, and power personified of this performance.

Our thanks to ref Bryn Grey, who I think will certainly concur that this was a full-blooded encounter, not for the faint hearted.