BARNSLEY RUFC U16 MATCH REPORT
SHAW LANE, SUNDAY 9th MARCH 2008, 11AM
KICK OFF.
OPPONENTS – OLD RISHWORTHIANS
REFEREE – TERRY SMITH
SCORE –BARNSLEY U 16’S – 43 OLD RISHWORTHIANS - 7
BARNSLEY WELLWORTH THEIR VICTORY OVER RISHWORTH
Today we welcomed for the first time, Old
Rishworthians, who had a fair old traipse from the other side of Halifax.
“Rish” were an unknown quantity, albeit we were aware that
they visited us on the back of a series of victories. As always with
the opposition, there looked to be some big, strong lads. We had had
a thorough work out against a powerful “Pock” team the week
before, the pitch, and the weather was perfect, and none of the lads
looked the worse for wear from Saturday nights celebrations, I was optimistic
for a good performance.
Barnsley kicked off well, a long kick, with a good chase, resulting
in a big opening attack with James Green getting held up in the corner.
From the resulting defensive lineout, Brad Wood was through on a Rish
knock on like lightening, to power over for the opening try. A great
start. Jack Churchill just failed with the con. 5 – 0
Barnsley kept applying the pressure, but it became evident that the
Rish pack were very well drilled, their mauling and rucking being very
impressive, resulting in Barnsley being held at bay.
In fact this snippet of Rish play was so good that they were able to
release their backs with quick ball, create a 2 –3 to 1 overlap,
for the winger to streak to the Barnsley line for a certain try. Somehow
the home defence rallied, and how on earth Matthew Tilson covered the
ground to put in a crunching try saving tackle, I do not know. This
piece of play was worthy of scoring a try, or possibly 2 it was that
good.
Barnsley re-applied the pressure, but we gave away too many penalties
at the ruck, thus losing momentum, and turning over possession. Rish
defended robustly, and were well in this contest.
Some of our promising moves were negated by our old failing of not supporting
the ball carrier, allowing him to become isolated. Thankfully we shook
that off as the game progressed and confidence grew.
Green and Jordan Hulme linked in a promising attack, followed by a clean
break by Keiron Holmes from turn over ball, the ball was moved wide
to Brad Wood who joined the line, who straightened his running angle,
stood the defence up, scything through for a tremendous score. Churchill
converted. 12 – 0
At this point I’d like to mention a lad who hasn’t featured
for a while, but played at inside centre , and had a very solid, and
effective game, good off-loads, standing up in the tackle, maintaining
continuity, and very difficult to put down. He played a very important
role as the game unfolded. Steven ANDERSON.
We even had a pre-planned kick and chase orchestrated by our stand off,
Rob Mynett, which nearly put “Tilley” in for a score. Rish
held firm – their mauling was particularly impressive.
Then right at the end of the half came one of those pieces of play that
almost defy explanation, Marlon “The Hit Man” Wragg wrestled
possession in a maul (no mean feat against this team). He then bludgeoned,
battered and surged through a shell- shocked defence to score a try
of sheer guts and awesome power. Churchill converted. 19 – 0
Half time came after. We’d scored 3 good tries, but I thought
Rish were unlucky to be losing by such a substantial margin.
Rish started the second half in a positive
mood placing the Barnsley line under great pressure, however I thought
that the main Rish threat was going to be through the forwards, as the
backs looked a little hesitant and were slightly out-powered by our
back line. Barnsley held out, sunshine gave way to rain and hail showers,
which thankfully passed. Barnsley got their mauling together winning
a 5m attacking scrum.
We got a clean, quick strike, and a good pick up from no. 8 ,Holmes,
who sniffed a gap, and powered over on the open side. Churchill just
missed the con. 24 – 0
Rish didn’t lose heart, and intercepted the ball in another home
attack to counter, and relentlessly progressed towards the line with
a very impressive maul. From the resultant attacking 5m scrum, a series
of further drives ended up with a deserved score under the posts, which
was converted. 24 – 7 Rish were still in it.
A scrappy period of play ensued characterised by turn-overs for both
sides.
At this point another unsung hero emerged in the person of centre Tom
LODGE, who stood up, put in the breaks, took the hits, and off-loaded
to keep the momentum going. Very important continuity play.
20 minutes into the half, a powerful break was instigated by the dynamic
Wood, involving the equally dynamic Tyler Smith, finished in typically
brutal fashion by the equally, equally dynamic Wragg. Mynett just missed
the con. 29 – 7
This was the turning point in the game, no way back for Rish, would
Barnsley turn the screw?
The answer was the latter, a fantastically efficient movement of the
ball along the back line brought in substitute full back Will O’
Loughlin, who ran a sweet counter-angle. He wrong footed the initial
defensive line, and bamboozled the rest of the defenders with “Shane
Williams “- like side steps, to scythe through under the posts
for one of the best tries I ever seen the lads score. It was a peach.
Mynett converted. 36 – 7
Another attack from the re-start involved Grant Powell getting the ball
on the Rish 10m line, running against lightweight backs, he needed no
second invitation ,bursting through despairing tackles to score. Mynett
converted. 43 – 7. The game ended.
A tremendous game, and one in which Rish played a full part.
Captain for the day Josh Woolhouse, and his half- back partner Rob Mynett
had their best game together, distributing the ball and controlling
events effectively.
The pack, Conor Egan , pack leader Tyler “pit bull” Smith,
Grant Powell, John Selby, Stephen Lister, Sam Fitzpatrick, and the tear-a-way
trio of Brad Wood, Keiron Holmes, and Marlon Wragg, hung in against
a very well drilled pack in the ruck and maul, dominated the scrum,
competed well at the line out, and rampaged in the loose. They can only
get better. A well balanced unit.
The backs revelled in the possession and good conditions to play with
as much confidence and adventure as I can remember, against a determined
defence. Hopefully we’ll carry on in the same vein against Selby.
BARNSLEY MOTM - as chosen by the ref Terry
Smith,
BRAD “PERPETUAL MOTION” WOOD – the epitome of a break-away
flank forward, he was everywhere, and scored 2 excellent tries.
Our thanks to ref Terry Smith, who, as
with Steve, Bryn, Simon and Dale, was his usual efficient and unbiased
self, if only other clubs had the services of such refs.
TIME LINE:
11.11AM - BARNSLEY KICK OFF
11.12 – BARNSLEY TRY (BRAD) CON MISSED
– 5 - 0
11.40 – BARNSLEY TRY (BRAD) + CON
(JACK) – 12 - 0
11.44– BARNSLEY TRY (MARLON) + CON
(JACK) – 19 –0
11.46 – HALF TIME
11.49 – RISH KICK OFF
11.55 – BARNSLEY TRY (KEIRON) CON
MISSED – 24 - 0
12 .01PM – RISH TRY + CON –
24 – 7
12.09 – BARNSLEY TRY (MARLON) CON
MISSED – 29 – 7
12.13 – BARNSLEY TRY (WILL) + CON
(ROB) – 36 – 7
12.19 – BARNSLEY TRY (GRANT) + CON
(ROB) – 43 – 7
12.20 –FULL TIME.
