Wetherby 19 – 29 Barnsley

Barnsley produced easily their best display of the season to record a bonus point win away at Wetherby who started the game 4 places higher in the league.

Wetherby had come up two divisions without losing a match and tried to play a fluid offloading game that must have brought them their success over those campaigns. This was hit and miss in this game but they made the early running. A penalty in front of the posts after a good cover tackle from Terrington prevented a try was missed to hand Barnsley a let off.

Barnsley claimed a turnover from the 22 and set off upfield through Tyler Smith and Will Smith. Wetherby held up a penalty as their player received treatment and lined up expecting a kick for touch. Appleyard called for the tap and set Bunny away with Will Smith and then Will Oloughlin all making yards in support. Barnsley were quickly into the 22 and Wetherby scrambling to reorganise.

Barnsley switched the play and several forwards showed good hands to use the overlap, Terrington heavily involved before Parker drew the last man and put Copley in for a smart finish. Appleyard kicking into a strong wind couldn’t add the extras. Within 5 minutes Barnsley had another, the midfield of Appleyard, Bunny and Will Smith again all involved to set Will Oloughlin free just inside his own half and he sprinted clear to score. The wind just causing an on track conversion to fall short. Barnsley 10-0 up and looking dangerous.

The Barnsley set piece was much improved and alternating between 4 &5 man line outs meant Barnsley won the majority of their ball. Terrington and Tasker combining superbly. The scrum as ever was solid with Tyler Smith and Dale Hobson shading their opposite numbers in most encounters. Joe Green was doing well around the park and Nick Davies and Reed were both carrying strongly. With Beck tackling well all the pack were contributing together in a way we haven’t seen so far this season.

Beck had to leave the field for the blood bin and Adam Marsden made a lively cameo in his place. A good attack from Wetherby was well defended and Oloughlin and Parker completing the drift by pushing the Wetherby winger into touch.

There was confusion as Beck was returning to the field and Marsden leaving, play was allowed to continue although they were both by the touchline. Barnsley won the line out and sent in Davies but his support was still in the process of coming back onto the field. Wetherby pounced to turnover the ball just inside the 22 and stayed camped in until their 12 eventually scored. Barnsley looked set to reply with a 5m scrum but Beck was penalised for obstructing his opposite number as Reed set off for the line and Wetherby kicked the penalty off the field. 10-7 at half time when Barnsley had looked set to record a clean sheet.

The 2nd half began with Wetherby throwing the ball wide and their right winger was brought down by Will Smith just inside the 22. The continued to build and their 12 again crashed over to see them take the lead. Soon after Will Smith tracked a clean break for a second time making the tackle then turnover to save his team. This was a real turning point as another score could’ve taken Wetherby clear.

Barnsley to their credit were not ruffled and some great kicking out of hand from Appleyard with the wind at his back kept Wetherby pinned in their own half. After sustained pressure more good yardage from Bunny and Will Smith saw Barnsley into striking position. A turnover scrum gave Reed a great opportunity and he duly pounced to score.

Barnsley now held all the cards and were attacking really well, Reed making yards at will. Injuries to Oloughlin & Parker meant a reshuffle and Perry & Marsden entered the fray with Beck having to go to the wing to cover. Tyler Smith was briefly withdrawn for Todd Cheetham but after the next scrum went into reverse a flare was sent up and he was quickly brought back on in place of Terrington.

Barnsley continued to run their penalties and Davies and Green both took some stopping around the Wetherby 22, Reed on hand again to finish off a period of pressure, breaking off a shortened line out to score the bonus point try Barnsley needed. Good defence from Barnsley meant Wetherby were restricted to bursts of possession while Barnsley looked more in control of the ball. Good work down one flank from Perry and Lawton saw Barnsley in a position to switch play and Copley took advantage of some forwards in the line to step back against the flow, jinking to a brilliant finish next to the posts. Barnsley out to 29-14 with little time left on the clock.

Wetherby managed to record one more score before time was called. A little disappointing from Barnsley who had hauled down a break then a missed one on one tackle allowed the Wetherby 10 to score. The try scorer hit the post with the conversion attempt in his rush to attempt to salvage a bonus point as the seconds ticked down. A final attack was thwarted and Cheetham driving through the ruck knocked the ball dead to end the game.

Bunny was named man of the match for a great attacking display but Reed, Will Smith and Copley were all stand out performers on the day. Barnsley have quietly won 4 out of their last 6 league games and find themselves in the top half for the first time this campaign. They have Thorne away this weekend who are on a poor run of form following a bright start although they have been shaded in some close games.