U16s - Baildon Vs Barnsley

BAILDON, SUNDAY 24TH FEBRUARY 2008, 11AM KICK OFF.
OPPONENTS – BAILDON RUFC.
REFEREE – Provided by Baildon
SCORE –BAILDON – 10 BARNSLEY - 22

BAILDON STAND FIRM IN THE HAIL OF BARNSLEY FIRE!

When we played Baildon in November the lads notched up a record score of 58 –0.
But the score is a little deceptive, as the lads were only 15 –0 to the good at half time in that game, which had seen a 26 minute stoppage due to Mat Tilson being injured.

We had been shoved around in the scrum, and it was a genuine contest.

In the second half “the GRANT” was introduced, the Baildon scrum was destroyed, and he acted as the catalyst for a second half performance, which destroyed the visitors.

Before today’s encounter the Baildon ref. had a little word with both front rows before kick off (which included Grant) and the Sage of Cudworth, Garry Smith speculated that he did not want our lads to be too rough on their lads. How prophetic those words proved to be. It wasn’t that the lads were playing against 16, but with a slightly uneven interpretation of the laws, and the helpful advice for the ref. from the Baildon coach, they were probably playing against 15 and 3/8 th’s.
It was clear that the home team had pumped themselves up for this encounter, which after the last time was only natural.

Fortunately Barnsley started downhill and with the wind and rain behind them. The ground was fairly claggy, and it was clear that both teams would be hard pressed to produce flowing handling moves, which is how it proved to be.

Barnsley started off really positively the big “G” finishing off a series of fast driving rucks and mauls to be held up on the Baildon line.

The ensuing scrum saw a quick strike, quick hands across the line, and Brad Wood hitting the line at pace, to power over on the crash ball. Yes, this was more like it.
Churchill converted. 0- 7

However, the home team clearly were not going to crumble for a second time, and they had an even amount of territory and possession as Barnsley tried, but struggled to put together a sustained period of precision rugby. Poor passes, knock ons, and turn overs stifled promising moves time after time. However, the defence held firm, repulsing all attacks.
After approximately 20minutes since the first try Barnsley got their act together placing the home line under severe pressure, and a break from Churchill fed Stephen Lister who bludgeoned his way over for the second score. Churchill converted. 0 -14

After losing our way we had started rucking again.
One perennial disappointment is our poor concentration at re-starts which placed us under unnecessary pressure. The Baildon stand off kicked very intelligently, using the touch line, and inducing knocks ons from our receivers.
The half finished with Barnsley awarded a penalty near the home 22,which was kicked by Churchill, a wise decision I thought. 0 – 17.

Half time came shortly after, and I couldn’t help feeling that the lads had not capitalised sufficiently on the advantage they'd enjoyed. We really ought to have turned around 25 – 30 points to the good.

Coach, Mark Smith had the unenviable task of getting all 7 of his subs onto the field of play at some point, starting at the break. It was inevitable that the pattern of play would be slightly disrupted, but I support this policy totally.

The second half commenced much as I had feared with Baildon exerting the pressure.

However Barnsley did have their moments with Jordan Hulme, Grant, and Stephen Lister having chances to score, Lister’s being the best of the all. I’ll have to check his scrum cap because I’m sure it’s got built in blinkers. Stephen ignored a massive gap to his left, to the line, to charge straight at 3 defenders, consequently being held up.

In the forwards Marlon “the hit man” Wragg, Sam Fitzpatrick, and Keiron Holmes all worked tirelessly, making the hard yards.

However we got bogged down in our own half, Baildon pressuring the line, and being held up. From the subsequent 5m scrum the ball was moved quickly to a poorly defended blind side, with an overlap, and a try in the corner. 5 – 17 The game was well and truly on.

Barnsley responded but some poor decision making and support play snuffed out promising moves. However, we attacked a Baildon line out in their 22, on their ball, resulting in Wragg powering to the line for a trademark break away forwards try. The conversion was missed. 5 – 22

Although the game was effectively won, Baildon had no intention of giving up, their spirit was admirable.
This was rewarded with another “soft” try, as far as Barnsley were concerned, after the ref. was “advised” to award a penalty near the 5m line, and very poor defence failed to stop Baildon crossing in the corner (on the blind side again). 10 – 22 (there was some debate about dubious grounding, but read the papers the score won’t have changed.)
The game finished shortly after.

This was a hard fought win, and both teams are to be commended for a gutsy effort.
This clearly gave a more accurate indication of Baildon’s capabilities than the last game.

Barnsley MOTM chosen by the ref – MARLON WRAGG , he just is, do you want to argue?

TIME LINE:

10.55AM – KICK OFF (BARNSLEY)

10.58 – TRY (BRAD) + CON. (JACK) 0 - 7

11.17 – TRY (STEPHEN) + CON (JACK) 0 - 14

11.25– PENALTY KICK (JACK) 0 – 17

11.31 – HALF TIME

11.34 – RESTART (2ND HALF – BAILDON)

11.55 - TRY (BAILDON) 5 - 17

12.01 – TRY (MARLON), CON MISSED – 5 - 22

12.09 – TRY (BAILDON) 10 - 22

12.11 – FULL TIME.