U16s - Barnsley Vs Pocklington

BARNSLEY RUFC U16 MATCH REPORT

SHAW LANE, SUNDAY 2nd MARCH 2008, 11AM KICK OFF.
OPPONENTS – POCKLINGTON
REFEREE – STEVE LUMB
SCORE –BARNSLEY U 16’S – 7 POCKLINGTON - 26

POCK ROCK , BUT BARNSLEY ROLL

The last 2 encounters between these teams had produced a 12-12 draw in dire conditions about 18months ago, and a convincing 34 – 7 win for Pock last January.

I know that they almost tamed the “Mighty Titans” in a recent cup game and therefore this was always going to be a real test for our boys.

The weather was dry, sunny, but there was a vicious cross-field wind that was clearly going to be a major factor. Whoever tamed, and made best use of the wind would probably win – no prizes for guessing who did.
Pock started the game very positively smashing their way through the rucks and mauls to the Barnsley line, but determined defence repelled them, and resulted in a period of Barnsley pressure. This resulted in a 5m attacking scrum, and a penalty awarded to the home team. For once our lads acted quickly and decisively, in the person of Tyler Smith crashing over the line, between the posts, whilst some of the Pock defence debated matters of great import. Jack Churchill slotted the con. 7 – 0

One of the Pock coaches consoled his lads by telling them with feeling that they “Didn’t deserve this, you’re better than them” There, there, it’ll get better (unfortunately it did!).
Pock roared back into the game, Barnsley’s defence held firm for a while, but our defensive line has an uncanny knack of standing back and allowing the attacking backs to put in elusive running lines, chasing shadows. Pocks very competent number 10 broke from a scrum in our 22, our defenders grasped thin air, he scored between the posts. 7 – 7

The rest of the half ebbed and flowed between the 2 teams, unfortunately the conditions played their part in mucking up promising attacking moves.

It was unfortunate that the half finished with Barnsley attacking the Pock line, Steve Lumb blowing up when I thought we would have an attacking 5m line out.

The second half started promisingly for Barnsley exerting pressure in the scrum, and starting to get the rucking game together. All the pack were doing well, particularly Stephen Lister, who at last started attacking rucks with vigour to show what he can do when he puts his mind to it. Unfortunately he put his mind to other matters –more on that later.

However, Pock were never going to buckle, and from a tapped penalty in our 22 they moved the ball swiftly to the wing, who powered over with two! defenders unable to stop him. Sometimes our tackling veers from “rock solid” to “weak as a kitten” for no apparent reason. 7 – 14. However the game was far from over.
Play once again ebbed and flowed, and was largely characterised by handling errors on both sides. Once again we committed “hari kari” allowing the Pock stand off to intercept our good scrum ball. Apparently there was an accidental offside collision with one of his own players (I didn’t see it personally) which was allegedly missed by the ref ,but which wrong footed everyone. He streaked off to score under the posts with the defence nowhere. A really soft try as far as the home team were concerned. 7 – 21

A big blow, but although the game was slipping away, I still thought that we could close the gap significantly, if not win it.

However, the final nail in Barnsley’s game plan coffin, came from an incident at a ruck on halfway. The consequence of which was that Steve Lumb suggested that Stephen Lister take an early shower. I didn’t see the incident, but I’m given to understand that it was stamping on a player who was on the ground. This is a great shame all-round, not least for the lad who got stamped on (thankfully there was no lasting damage), but up to then Stephen was a definite candidate for MOTM for my money.

The other consequence of this aberration was a Pock pen, followed by an attacking line out, and drive to the line to score. 7 – 26 –GAME OVER.

I sincerely hope that Stephen has learned from this episode. If only you could put an old head on young shoulders.

The lads did have a last hurrah with both Keiron Holmes, Marlon Wragg ,and Jack Churchill making significant attacking breaks. The Pock defence held firm and repelled all comers, they were the deserved victors, but it should have been a lot closer.

BARNSLEY MOTM - as chosen by the ref Steve Lumb, GRANT “THE ROCK” POWELL – I’m not going to argue.

Our thanks to ref Steve Lumb, who was his usual efficient and unbiased self, if only other clubs had the services of such a ref.

TIME LINE:

11.06AM - POCK KICK OFF

11.18 – BARNSLEY TRY (TYLER) + CON (JACK) – 7 – 0

11.26 – POCK TRY + CON – 7-7

11.38 – HALF TIME

11.40 – BARNSLEY KICK OFF

11.47 – POCK TRY + CON – 7 – 14

11.54 – POCK TRY + CON – 7 – 21

STEPHEN LISTER INVITED TO LEAVE THE FIELD

11.59 – POCK TRY – 7 – 26

` 12.11 – FULL TIME.