Old Grovians 24 - Barnsley 6

If the previous 3 weeks are considered a progress by the Barnsley 1st XV, this weekend’s performance has to be measured as a massive step backwards.

Take nothing away from Old Grovians, they battled and dug deep all game to secure a sound victory at home, their fields and clubhouse ravaged by the recent inclement whether they showed what a bit of self believe and unity can do in dour times. Barnsley, on this occasion, did not.

Grovs’ opened brightly, similarly to how Moortown had done against Barnsley the previous week with a well worked try. This habit of literally gifting the opposition early points has to stop in order to garner some momentum. Barnsley fought back through their strong runners. Reed once again lead from the front in carrying ball forward. It seemed like the way to beat Grovs was to take the game to them and Barnsley started to gain a bit of an edge, their scrum worked well providing quick ball and their line-out was going OK compared to recent weeks. The forwards gained meters through the guts of the home team through Wragg, Hobson and Smith and Swann always looked to threaten out wide.

But on the flip side of the coin, Grovs were progressing equally, their stout forwards also provided quick ball for their 10 to distribute at his pleasure. So at half time the game looked to be an even contest with the score at half time 12-6 to the home team.

Unfortunately at half time Barnsley lost the services of Wragg and Hobson succumbing to a hamstring tear and neck injury respectively. These two would be somewhat of a loss in the tight exchanges. Green and Marsden were added to the fray, the latter especially putting his body on the line at will.

But it was downhill for the Shaw Lane men in the 2nd half, as their set pieces wobbled and play became fractious, the home side grew in confidence and made the home team pay. Firstly the Grovs No8 and skipper barged his way over from a 5m scrum which was duly converted and secondly from a try against run of play.

Barnsley were guilty of unforced errors. Individual errors that as isolated incidents are perfectly normal and excusable, but as a collective added to the pain of defeat and contributed to the loss. The line-out has malfunctioned over the last month, the loss of Cheetham in this area is noticeable, take nothing away from Terrington, the stocky, hard hitting, uncompromising back-rower has filled the void many wouldn’t dare to put their head. It is back to the drawing board for the Shaw Lane outfit who have Pontefract up next, a team renowned for their expansive play.