KEIGHLEY 20 BARNSLEY 8

After a tiresome journey from the warmer climes of the south, Barnsley supporters were faced by a keen cross field wind at the start of their first ever league visit to the picturesque and well- appointed Keighley club. For those arriving in good time, a warm welcome was provided but many arrived at kick off time. Yet again, there were changes in the Barnsley side, with Joe Perry at scrum half, Tyler Smith in the front row, Chris Peel at full back and Josh Smith mark 2 on the bench alongside Sam Moss and Morne Louw.

The early exchanges were even, until Keighley nipped neatly over almost under the posts to open the scoring with an unconverted try. Their forwards were pressing on and driving into the Barnsley defence, which largely held firm, though not all first tackles were effective. Playing down a slope, Barnsley looked threatening and their first serious attack was rewarded with a penalty goal kicked by Will Smith. It seemed as if a good chance was in the making when Peel joined the line from full back but he stepped inside when he might have linked with Tom Swann on the wing.

A head injury to Todd Cheetham brought young Moss onto the field, and he typified the developing talent among young Barnsley players with some hard work, Joe Perry was moving the ball well to Appleyard, but the wind disrupted passing, and the two could have moved a little closer to be more effective. In the tricky conditions, line outs were a lottery, and good catches by Roebuck and Tasker were counterbalanced by losses when Keighley stole the ball. It was from a line out that Roebuck made a great catch, fed the ball to Davis who forced his way over to give Barnsley a lead. The conversion attempt from wide out hit the cross bar and bounced out, but at this stage Barnsley were holding their own. When Keighley attacked, they did so with real power from their pack, and eventually forced their way over wide out. The half closed with Barnsley again deep in the Keighley 22 and a further, kickable penalty went begging. Keighley 10 Barnsley 8.

The second half began with both sides making progress when in possession, but Barnsley in particular had to defend against hard working Keighley forwards. They did so pretty well, with Reed and Watt going forward. Too often however passes were spilled, the ball was knocked on, or there was a forward pass and a number of promising break outs led to nothing. One such saw Gaunt kick ahead, a really good chase by Tasker and Reed but the referee decided Barnsley offended and so again the initiative was lost.

Gradually as Barnsley tired, Keighley gained the initiative and went on to clinch the game with a fine try down the blind side leaving a speedy winger with space to go over. Despite strong resistance, Barnsley could not get out of their own 22, and some really good saving tackles took their toll physically as Keighley finally took control, even stealing a Barnsley put in at a scrum. Although both sides showed a mid-table, end of season approach, it was Keighley who came off best, adding two further tries to give them a bonus point win.

Another inconsistent Barnsley performance in an inconsistent season….with 2 to play, let’s hope for two wins to end on a high note. The biggie is the visit of old friends and rival Knottla in 2 weeks, where there is a score to be settled after the reverse fixture at Knottingley. From the touchline, it looks as if some players are not at their fittest presently, and in preparation for next season, fitness issues might move up the agenda.