Old Rishworthians 32 v 39 Barnsley

Barnsley began this tough challenge at Copley with several enforced changes from last week. Josh Smith came in for French, Casson made his long awaited return at hooker, South was replaced by the Josh Smith the younger, and Watt returned to the second row. Tedoradze completed the changes in the back row, and Barnsley’s travelling band of supporters anticipated a real toughie as the teams took the field. It was Barnsley who scored first with a superb cross field kick from Appleyard, swept up by the backs to put Swann in for a converted try. Rishworth’s pack were put under pressure by Barnsley’s front row, and were often penalised as a consequence. A second try soon flowed when Slaked finished off a good move wide out, but the home side fought back with a well worked try and 2 penalties to take the lead.
At times, Barnsley showed their resolute defence – especially Jeff Watt and Tedoradze – but at other times the strong running Rishworth side broke through, and always looked dangerous. As half time dawned both sides fought for midfield supremacy with the Barnsley pack gaining the upper hand, yet still failing to convert pressure into points until a third try came to give the visitors a half time lead of 19-13. This was scored by Appleyard, and followed yet more really impressive teamwork going forward.
The second half saw both sides attacking in a good game, well managed by the referee, but Rishworth had replaced their prop and began to hold their own. The introduction of Naisby did more damage to Rishworth however, and the upper hand swung Barnsley’s way with 17 uncontested points. First Salkeld scored with a dancing run over the line, converted by Appleyard who next added a penalty. Next, another Salkeld interception saw the Dave Watson protégé race 50m upfield to score under the posts and put Barnsley out of sight – or so it seemed.
An injury to Watt disrupted the pack despite the Herculean efforts of Dave Reed- outstanding performance, skipper – and the determined home side showed their paces with punchy attacks through a wavering Barnsley defence. To be fair, some good defence came first from Barnsley, but Rishworth got over to give them some confidence. A penalty by Appleyard stretched Barnsley away, but at the death two late tries for Rishworth gave the Barnsley loyalists a few nervous moments. A yellow card for Naisby did not help, but the home team were really going for it until the final whistle.
What Barnsley lacked in those closing minutes was some ‘old heads on young shoulders’ stuff whereby keeping possession rather than trying to force it away by the boot gave the home team some chances to run the ball. It was ‘up your jumper time’ and although one can admire the open play deep in defence, in this instance, we should have played safe.
It would however, be churlish to deny a really good victory against a team that will do well in Yorks2. There was so much good play here from Barnsley, and no one can deny the results and the table – with a maximum of 20 points so far. Now for Ripon at Shaw Lane – they beat Sheff Medics a couple of weeks ago!