Barnsley 38 vs Knottingley 15

BARNSLEY 38 KNOTTINGLEY 15
With relegation still to be decided from Yorkshire 1, this end of Barnsley’s season game took on great importance as the home side needed to win well to avoid bottom position. Even then, Knottingley have a game to play, so nothing will be finalised until May 11.
A biting northerly wind blew down the pitch as Barnsley took the field with Doc Smith back in the front row, A D Smith – Smigger - on the wing and Beck selected at scrum half. Rob Shaw benched once more, alongside Francis and Wood. The wind took two early clearance kicks from Barnsley all the way over the dead ball line, and Knottingley camped in the home 22. Despite their pick up and go drives, the home defence was strong, and in the end the visitors took a neat dropped goal for the lead. Joe South received treatment, but was able to continue and in a moment of inspiration – well planned, me thinks – Josh Smith charged down an attempted clearance, picked up the re-bound and went over for a great try. Appleyard added the conversion from the touchline, with a superb kick.
Knottingley continued to enjoy greater possession with prop ‘One speed’ doing really well, and a promising Knottingley attack broke down when a pass went forward. It was Barnsley who struck next, when some magical footwork by Mikey Hayward led to Jeffels giving a good pass for Appleyard to score. Barnsley 12 Knottingley 3. The visitors resumed their offence but found Barnsley hard to get past, with strong defence all round. With the introduction of Jordan Wood for Iles, Barnsley stole possession more than once to ensure their line remained unbroken, and it was clear that the home side had pace and guile to damage the visiting back line. Winger Smith, flanker Robinson made space for scorer Appleyard to add a second try, jinking past two bemused defenders to leave Barnsley in control at half time 19 points to 3!
Half times blues seeped around the home supporters as Knottingley attacked ferociously and soon opened their try scoring. An even better score came after a huge dummy thrown by stand- off Piper bamboozled the Barnsley defence and suddenly the score read 19-15! An injury to hard working prop Luke Hatfield brought Shaw into the game, and Iles rotated for Wood again. Knottingley still had the lion’s share of the ball, and with Chez Field on the pitch as ‘waterman’ more often than most, it looked as if the Barnsley bubble was about to burst. Good defence saw Barnsley finally relieve their lines, and advantage played by the referee – more than once in this game – after a high tackle, Appleyard scored yet again to widen the score gap. Hatfield returned after his breather, and from then on it was all Barnsley, with a try for skipper Reed, a towering performance this week, again converted by Appleyard, now sporting a head bandage, and finally with the introduction of Francis for Beck, who had his best game for some time, powerful centre Jeffels forced his way over despite Knottingley efforts to tackle him. Appleyard’s conversion took the final score to 38-15. A well-earned result from Barnsley. Knottingley never gave up, but lacked invention beyond the push of their pack. An injury to a visiting player did not help, and we all hope that he makes a full recovery.
In the end, a match well handled by the referee was played in a good spirit especially with so much at stake, and at the end of the season another Barnsley victory showed the potential of this team. For Ed Norris this match was probably his last – Ed has been a big influence on us, and we know he is not going anywhere else and look forward to his impact among the coaches wherever we play next!