U17s - Port Sunlight Vs Barnsley

Under 17 National Shield.

Port Sunlight 16 v Barnsley 17.

Barnsley under 17’s travelled to Merseyside on a blustery sunny Sunday morning to play in what turned out to be a cracking game of rugby. Playing against the wind in the first half Barnsley still had the bus journey in their legs when after 10 minutes Port Sunlight took the lead with a well worked try. Making the most of the conditions Port Sunlight increased their lead when they converted two penalties to lead 11-0.

This stirred Barnsley into action and keeping the ball alive they forced Port Sunlight on the defensive. Second row Tom Hemingway found himself on the end of a slick handling movement, burst through a tackle and like a gazelle sprinted half the length of the field to score.

Both sides were playing some exciting rugby and both came near to scoring again. As half time approached Barnsley backs quickly passed the ball to Ashley Salkeld who outpaced his opposing number to score. Barnsley were happy to go into half time trailing 11-10.

Port Sunlight came out for the second half on fire and they played the conditions superbly forcing Barnsley to defend and only superb defence led by Gilroy and Sardell prevented Port Sunlight from scoring. Barnsley were not making the best use of the conditions and Port Sunlight keeping the ball in hand scored another try to lead 16-10.

This again stirred Barnsley into action but despite numerous attacks they could not score. As the game was drawing to a close it appeared that Port Sunlight’s defence would hold. 5 minutes to go Barnsley attacked again following several rucks the ball went out to the backs who gave Salkeld a little extra space and he outpaced the defence to score under the posts. Thistlewood kicked the conversion to give Barnsley a well earned victory and a visit to Keswick in the next round.