BARNSLEY RUFC U16 MATCH REPORT

SHAW LANE , SUNDAY 13TH APRIL 2008, 11AM KICK OFF.
OPPONENTS – LEEDS CORINTHIANS RUFC.
REFEREE – Terry Smith - Society

SCORE – BARNSLEY - 41 CORINTHIANS - 0

THE “300” OF BARNSLEY ROUT THE CORINTHIAN HORDES

Pre-match Mohammed Ali prediction style from Garry Smith – “ We’re going to have these today, I’m telling you!”

The above headline could have been from the Athenian Times, 200 B.C., but it was here and now.
Barnsley had plenty to think about, we’d had a severely testing time in Ireland, and we only scraped home against the Corinthians 15 – 5 in October.

The Corinthians had apparently had a good recent run, and the body language of their pack suggested that they really fancied their chances.

10.59 the game commenced by the Corinthians, immediate Barnsley pressure, Brad Wood dispossessed on at the line?
11.01 – from the ensuing 5 m attacking scrum, Grant Powell powered over for the opening score – the con was missed. 5 – 0

Barnsley pressure unremitting, Wood and Matt Tilson making breaks.

11.09 some superb driving mauls, and rucking resulted in Keiron Holmes powering over for the second score, which was converted by Jack Churchill – 12 – 0

Further relentless drives released James Green with the line at his mercy, he dropped it before the line as he went to score!

11.24 From the resultant scrum The pack took the ball against the head, recycled quickly and put Wood in for a dagger thrust through the defence to score again. The con was missed. 17 – 0

The Corinthian pack had put in a robust rearguard performance, but began to creak badly, Grant Powell’s opposite in the front row had a torrid time against him (he appeared to be the Corinthians’ talisman),he tried his luck against Conor Egan, and had an equally torrid time, so much so, that he retired injured from the game. We then lent them “Cooky”, who sportingly agreed to prop against us – “Thanks a bunch Mark, I thought I heard him cry!”

After that the visitors were destroyed in the scrums, and struggled badly in the line out.
If you haven’t got the ball, you can’t play.

11.29 A catch and drive by Rob Mynett was carried on by Powell, and Wood, who put in Holmes for an emphatic finish. Churchill converted 24 – 0

11.33 Barnsley were unrelenting, and a series of drives featuring Powell and Marlon Wragg put in Stephen Lister for a typical powerhouse effort. The con was missed. 29 – 0.

11.34 Half time.

11.36 Re-start

11.39 Barnsley continued where they left of, making a total mess of the visitors defensive scrum, pick up and drive, passed to Wood who chipped through and followed up to score. The con was missed. 34 – 0

Full credit to the Corinthians who seized on a dreadfully sliced touch finder from stand off Wood who'd had a superb game until then, to counter attack, and find the defence wanting. The Corinthians number 8 had evaded all-comers and only had full back Mynett to beat, but didn’t evade him. I witnessed the second best tackle I’d seen in a week, which saved a certain try.

Corinthians fought well despite being on the back foot, and starved of possesion, to delay the Barnsley juggernaut.
Unfortunately ill discipline from both teams spoiled the contest for a short time before referee Terry Smith sorted matters out, and got the show back on the road. His handling of this matter underlined the impeccable way he’d controlled the rest of the game.

We got back to the rugby.

12.07pm With the visitors not threatening the Barnsley line a further score for the home team seemed inevitable, and it came courtesy of a powerhouse Powell break, off-loaded to Wragg to finish in irresistable style. Churchill converted. 41 – 0.

12.10 Full time. A comprehensive, ruthless, and energetic win against very spirited opposition.
They must carry this attitude and work ethic with them to Middlesbrough.

Perhaps the “Ireland” experience had some lasting positives after all.

The team, once again, were led heroically by captain Jim Haigh. Keep it up – don’t let the standard slip.

For my money there were 15 Barnsley MOTM’s but I would not argue with the following;

Barnsley MOTM chosen by ref, Terry Smith- GRANT “THE TERMINATOR” POWELL.

Our thanks to Terry to whom we are deeply indebted.