BARNSLEY RUFC U16 MATCH REPORT

ACKLAM PARK, SUNDAY 20th April 2008, 12.30pm KICK OFF.
OPPONENTS – MIDDLESBROUGH
REFEREE – MR TILSON (STEVE’S BROTHER)
SCORE –BARNSLEY U 16’S – 17 MIDDLESBROUGH – 22

MUDDLE IN MIDDLESBROUGH

This fixture saw the lads travel to the extreme north-east corner of Yorkshire proper, Acklam Park, Middlesbrough, 81 miles from Darton, rather than 24 hours from Tulsa – ask your mam and dad.

In the pre-match warm up Stephen “Hiawatha” Lister sported an electrical insulating tape head band, and whilst performing the pre-match balletic warm up, all that was missing was an eagle’s feather and a totem pole. Stephen realised his folly removing the offending item together with half of his flowing locks.

This game encapsulated the lads’ results this season, promising much, but ultimately slightly disappointing, featuring trademark good and bad passages of play.

Though we had a travelling contingent of 21 players there were some noticeable absences, mainly in the pack. This wasn’t ultimately helpful to the cause.

We finally kicked off at 12.48pm,and despite a vigorous warm up, it was clear the lads’ heads were still on the coach. We had a dreadful, lethargic, sloppy opening against a lively home team. The one highlight for Barnsley was a break by Matt Tilson, but unfortunately the Boro full back had the legs on him and hauled down before the 22.

We conceded 3 or 4 charge downs in our own 22, in succession at one point, before finally clearing. The home team had fast, tricky runners at fullback and inside centre, and a well- organised pack. Their pack paved the way for the first of their tries, with a series of well executed driving mauls, to score in the corner. 12.59 pm 0 – 5

Thankfully this had a positive effect on our lads, Rob Mynett fielded a long punt out of defence wonderfully well, ran it back, off-loaded to Will O’Loughlin who continued the attack in fine style with his mazy running. Barnsley were awarded a penalty from the resulting breakdown in the Boro 22, a tap was quickly and intelligently taken, and Grant Powell latched onto a pop pass to crash over under the posts. 1.06pm 7 – 5

Jack Churchill converted. Shortly after at 1.10pm, Brad Wood made one of his searing breaks, off-loaded to Marlon Wragg, who hustled, bustled and bludgeoned his way over in typical style. 12- 5 . The con was missed.

The lads were on fire, James Green had a kick and chase that was just too long, otherwise he’d have been in for a score. So near, but yet so far again.

Boro came back into the game, and with another well-drilled series of driving mauls were able to release the centre for a stroll over the try line. 12 – 12

We’d had the edge on Boro both in the scrum with Tyler Smith taking several against the head , and in the line out where Smith threw in well, and Wragg had a battle royal with the athletic Boro second row, and principal jumper. So the failure to defend the driving maul was perplexing.
1.24pm HALF TIME – honours deservedly even.

1.27pm SECOND HALF – For once we attacked the restart really well, and it looked as if we would continue as we finished the first half. However, poor handling, and even worse, aimless chip kicks surrendered possession in good attacking areas, needlessly.

1.36pm Keiron Holmes had the unfortunate experience of accidentally head-butting Grant Powell on his collar bone. Not recommended. Keiron was pole-axed, and concussed. We then had a 36 minute break in play whilst an ambulance took Keiron to hospital. Thankfully he proved well enough not be detained and was allowed to travel home. However, Keiron had had a storming game up to that point, and he proved to be a huge loss.

2.15pm 3 minutes after the re-start ,yet another well drilled rolling maul ended with its inevitable conclusion for Boro. 12 – 17 This was getting monotonous.

Everything was still to play for but some kind of madness crept over certain members of the back division who persisted in kicking away possession in good attacking positions, it became endemic. Support play from some of the forwards also began to drop off alarmingly.

Boro gratefully scooped up the squandered possession and got back into a position to do their party piece yet again – another poorly defended driving maul, after giving away a stupid penalty (offside at a ruck – by a country mile) and another try. 12 – 22

But still the lads were trying to play the majority of the rugby, they were still in it.
Another attack (when we didn’t kick!) featured a Jordan Hulme run, and Wragg being held up at the line. Q.E.D. you would have thought.

2.32pm from the resultant scrum the ball was moved quickly and slickly through the hands! of the entire back division for Tilley to touch down an excellent score in the corner. 17 – 22 Q.E.D. again! Look it up lads.

Barnsley piled on the pressure, O’Loughlin nearly breaking free, but certain members of the back division once again persisted with the aimless, profligate chip kick through, rather that putting it through the hands of their team mates, this ultimately cost us again in promising positions. White line fever, lack of faith in team mates? Goodness knows.
The latter end of the game saw Mynett injuring his already injured foot yet again with a big defensive touch finder (he had to leave the field). It also saw Josh Woolhouse make a try saving tackle on the tricky Boro 12, who looked to be about to run through a now ragged defence.

2.39pm the game ended. Deserved win for Boro, they took their chances, we didn’t take ours. A game played in very good spirit, but leaving coach Smith less than impressed.

The lads have only themselves to blame. It was a game they should have won.

Our thanks to the ref, very fair, and even.

Also a mention for us long suffering parents offering financial, emotional, moral, physical and VOCAL support and encouragement. Take a bow.

BARNSLEY MOTM - as chosen by the ref - TYLER “PIT BULL” SMITH – led the pack by example, gave his props a good slapping and had given everything at the end.

I am now taking this opportunity to announce my retirement from writing match reports. It’s time to go before I bore everyone to death, and I get too opinionated.

“What do you mean, BEFORE you get boring and opinionated?” I hear you cry.

Only one season to go at junior level, come on you shrinking violets! - JM