Rugby
Barnard Castle ...................17
Gateshead .........................24
Just for a change, Barney had good availability and were able to select pretty much a first-choice side with a strong bench. The reverse fixture earlier in the season had seen a narrow 30-22 defeat, so Barney knew that they would be in for a hard-fought game.
Both sides began brightly and tested their opponent’s defence, but it was Barney who opened the scoring after ten minutes when a great break by Luke Cowley was stopped just short of the line and Ben Parker was able to drive over for the try from the ensuing ruck. With the tricky conversion calmly added by Ralph Makepeace Castle led 7-0.
Gateshead were quick to hit back when pressure in the Castle 22 saw the Gateshead second row claim the try. With the conversion missed Barney held a slender lead at 7-5. They were soon able to extend the lead when an inaccurate lineout throw by the Gateshead hooker went straight to a grateful Marty Lonsdale who rampaged down the pitch from halfway, only to be brought to a halt just short of the Gateshead line.
Marty’s disappointment was short-lived, however, as from the resulting lineout the Gateshead hooker repeated the trick and Marty was able to flop over for the easy try.
Ralph Makepeace was on target again with another tricky conversion to extend Barney’s lead to 14-5.
As half-time approached poor defence by Barney allowed the Gateshead left-winger to claim the try in the top left-hand corner. With the conversion missed Castle went into the break with a 14-10 lead.
The second half began in much the same vein as the first, with both sides testing the opposition’s defence, but on 15 minutes into the half Gateshead took the lead for the first time as their left-winger was able to run in for a well-taken try.
This time the conversion was good and Gateshead led 14-17.
Barney’s scrum had been excellent throughout and a superb shove from the Castle pack saw the Gateshead scrummage splintered just inside their own half and Ralph Makepeace was able to kick the resulting penalty to tie the scores at 17 apiece.
The game was very much in the balance, but it was Gateshead who were to grab the victory with ten minutes remaining as their substitute winger was able to latch onto a kick through to claim the try. The successful conversion took the score to 17-24.
There was still time for Barney to mount a series of desperate attacks and for Gateshead to miss a kickable penalty. Despite their efforts Barney weren’t able to breach the Gateshead defence and the visitors were able to hang on for the victory. The seven-point gap meant that Barney were able to claim the consolation of a losing bonus point.
The club would like to thank Tally for his generous sponsorship of the game. The opposition named number 8, James Peareth, as the Barney Man of the Match, as once again he had an excellent game with numerous carries that tested the Gateshead defence.
This Saturday sees Barney travel to Houghton and the following week is another away trip to North Shields. They are next at home on February 3, when they will host Redcar.
Nick Raper
