Another bonus win performance from Barnsley against a spirited Ripon team, who might have scored more but for Barnsley’s outstanding defence and their own wish to turn the ball inside, which helped Barnsley make key tackles. In a late change, due to illness, Will Smith came into the centre, with Greg Colbridge on the wing and Alex Edge and Paddy Jensen joining Tom Naisby on the bench.
A super start from the home team saw Jeff Watt force his way over with an extended arm after some very powerful forward play, and Appleyard converted the try. Shortly after the same player added a penalty to give Barnsley an early 10-0 lead. Ripon have strengthened their squad with imports, hit back and put the home side on the defensive. A great clearance by Appleyard, and a determined drive by South put Salked in the clear, but the winger failed to hold the pass. The home crowd purred with pleasure as the ball was moved quickly among the backs, though sometimes the handling from the base of a solid scrum was a little slow.
As Ripon got into the game, there were some terrific tackles, from Tedoradze, Swann, Hatfield and Cheetham, and Ripon’s only chance to score was missed when a penalty went badly wide. When in possession, Ripon repeatedly moved the ball back inside, which failed to stretch the Barnsley cover to breaking point. Iles and South were catching good line out ball, and the scrums were used by Barnsley to regain possession. The first half ended without a further score, though Ripon were lucky to keep 15 on the field when a deliberate late tackle on Beck, sniping as usual, prevented a break out. The referee, making his first visit to Barnsley was very much in charge, and went to some lengths to explain decisions made. Mr Arthur made a promising debut at Shaw Lane as chief whistleblower.
The second half began with Edge on for Watt. Tedoradze took the eye with some powerful drives, and it seems that Barnsley must add to their score. Now it was Ripon’s turn to defend well, and aided by some untypically poor Barnsley handling, they stayed in the game, threatening with hard driving forwards and elusive backs. A Barnsley try was denied for a forward pass, but pressure grew until Salkeld danced over for his try, giving Appleyard another conversion, and 17-0. Ripon continued to attack and a great chase and tackle by Colbridge drew the applause of the home crowd, shortly followed by Will Smith’s defensive efforts.
Naisby, a replacement for Hatfield, and Jensen for A Smith, both added to the Barnsley effort, and despite Ripon’s efforts, the home team turned the screw. Jack Iles took a knock and Dale Hobson left the field injured bath had added to the pack’s tackling superb, matched among the backs, where Swann was outstanding. Beck’s little darts gained good ground, but it was not until 2 players were sent from the field that Barnsley took control. In what seemed to be a minor fracas, the referee sent Alex Edge off and carded the Ripon centre. An Appleyard penalty extended the score, but it was a really exciting try that followed,when Salkeld broke out from the Barnsley red zone, fed a pass to Colbridge who sprinted for the line. This had home supporters demanding a fourth try/bonus win, but first Ripon had their moment in the sun when they beat several tackles to go under the posts for 7 points. Retribution was swift, and it came when Will Smith beat a tackle and put Swann into the danger area. The Barnsley centre was too strong for the tiring Ripon lads, and scored wide out.
Another good performance, with South and Reed doing a lot of work, and the team moves with confidence to an away game at Roundhegians next week.