U16s - Barnsley Vs Roundhegians

Barnsley U16 - 22 v Roundhegians U16 - 15

In the absence of our usual excellent match reporter you’re going to have to put up with this brief description from the coach. The performance today though deserves a mention so here goes.

Due to X-Factor competitions and other commitments we were only able to field a bare 15 today. Of the 15, 10 were either playing out of position or in totally new positions so this called for all the team spirit, guts and character that the squad has become renowned for. The delivered and some!

Barnsley started the brightest against a good Hegians team but then found themselves pinned in their own twenty two for a long spell. It wasn’t too long though before Marlon Wragg at number 8 picked up at the base of the scrum on half way, picked a gap in the defence and then sprinted 50 metres to score under the posts. Along the way Marlon managed to shrug off a couple of would be tacklers with his strength and determination. Jack Churchill slotted the conversion.

After more Barnsley pressure, man of the match Brad Wood produced an impressive gallop towards the corner for Barnsley’s second score. Hegians then replied with their first score despite a Herculean defensive effort from Churchill, just failing to hold the attacker and ball off the ground. The half time score 12 -5 to the Shaw Laners.

In the second half Barnsley’s strong forward unit stood up to some tough pressure from the visitors. Eventually though the pressure told and Hegians scored their second unconverted try. Barnsley then produced their best spell of an enthralling game. A move which seemingly involved all 15 lads, starting with a brilliant counter attacking zig zag from full back Will O’Loughlin, was superbly finished off by the excellent Wragg. Soon after, with the Barnsley fitness beginning to tell and the forwards starting to gain the ascendancy, Grant Powell finished off a superb line out and drive to score out wide.

Hegians continued to give it everything and were rewarded with their third try to leave them within one converted score of a draw. The game concluded soon after.

A lot of good performances today. A lot of effort, togetherness and ‘bottle’. The large crowd treated to a good performance.