Yarnbury 17 - 20 Barnsley - Yorkshire 2 League

Yarnbury 17 - 20 Barnsley - Yorkshire 2 League

Yarnbury were struggling for a win in Yorkshire 2 and slipped down the table since the turn of the year.They remain top of the bonus points table but are being worn down by bigger packs in the latter stages despite determined defence.This was a must win game against old rivals Barnsley and their impressive prop and captain Tom Bagnall.Yarnbury had their own captain in recent weeks scrum half Nathan Benton helping the side as a back row forward.The side was deemed the strongest possible for this fixture with Lewis Atha (prop),Tom Gilcrist (hooker and player coach) back to support Kyle Donworth in a solid looking front row and James Falgate and George Bowen back in the second row.Will Cooper and Tom Goldthorpe across the back row supporting their Captain Benton.In the backs assistant coach James Endersby brought his experience to the back line and with Danny Pound back in the fold at stand off.The side had a solid look about it for this crucial fixture.

Yarnbury gave points away in the first five minutes in dramatic style which was to be a feature of this league game when Barnsley looked the most lively down the middle of the park mainly through their big pack and were in determined mood for the points.Centre Callan Drewery broke the defensive line and it was a foot chase to the posts for the bouncing ball hitting the posts fooling the Yarnbury defence and Barnsley hooker Harry Harvey touching down for centre Josh Smith to convert in front of the posts.It was all Barnsley in the first ten minutes and left wing Adam Edwards got a touch down after a blatant knock on in the centre of the park and play continued .The exchange referee from the Midlands suprisingly initially gave the try and then changed his mind and gave a defensive scrum to Yarnbury who cleared the danger.Not to be outdone,Barnsley increased their lead to ten points with a straight forward penalty from Smith before Yarnbury got on top of the game for the second quarter.

Yarnbury got their line out working and made good ground in the breeze against several Barnsley penalties.Stand Off Danny Pound making good ground with his kicks and getting the best out of his back line with Connor Moreton at outside centre making yardage ably supported by full back Jack Brown and right wing Josh bell looking dangerous.Indeed, the backs finally got speed merchant Josh Bell away down the left side and he beat two defenders to score in the corner and with Danny Pound landing a touchline conversion in impressive style the home side were back in the game.The impetus had changed round completely in the second quarter with controlled ball from the pack and Geroge Bowen and Will Cooper winning line out ball.The lead came in due course through a Josh Bell try down the right the Pound conversion just missing the post in the strong breeze. Yarnbury in front 12- 10 at the break.

The game was always competitive as the away side began to loose their cool under sustained pressure and Yarnbury took the deserved lead on 60 minutes through George Bowen supporting James Endersby who worked space down the left.The conversion was missed .However Barnsley levelled after Yarnbury were penalised and down to 14 men after prop Lewis Atha was given a 10 minute break for a technical offense on the floor.Hooker Harry Harvey scored close in and smith converted to level the scoreas at 17 -17 as the game reached a nail biting final stages with both sides looking for an opening to take the points and the advantage clearly with Yarnbury efforts as the visitors were constantly penalised as nerves were stretched.Yarnbury had a simple penalty to win the game but a 'rush of blood' by Yarnbury player coach scorned the three points and took a quick tap which came to nothing as Barnsey cleared the danger.Typically, as in previous games late penalties have cost the Horsforth side luckily centre Josh Smith shaved the post.Not learning from their mistakes Yarnbury took a short 22 metre drop out and lost possession.Step up centre Josh Smith with a long range scruffy drop goal to seal the points as the referee finally whistled for time putting Yarnbury deeper in the relegation mire.