Barnard Castle battle earns bonus point

Durham University 66 Barnard Castle 24

Barnard Castle suffered their first league defeat of 2026 but took solace from the fact they gained a bonus point against quality opponents.

Ahead of the season, everyone connected with the club knew the Counties 1 North East would be a challenging proposition following last season’s unbeaten promotion campaign.

And Barney travelled to Durham University for their first away game of the new season knowing that they would have to be at their very best against a side brimming with talented young players.

A strong student team demonstrated why they will surely be in the promotion picture at the end of the season as Castle suffered their heaviest defeat for some time, but the visitors battled well to secure a four-try bonus point as consolation in defeat.

Barney were missing a couple of key players but began brightly and were soon camped on the University try-line hoping for an early breakthrough when a clash of heads led to a lengthy break.

From the restart the University cleared their lines and set up their first attack with their hugely impressive winger gliding through for the opening try.

Any thoughts of a Barney victory were quickly stifled as the students extended their lead almost immediately with a try that demonstrated their energy, pace and exceptional handling skills.

The 12-0 lead grew further when another lightning attack brought a try, followed minutes later by an interception as Barney’s attempts to spread the ball wide saw the students move 24-0 ahead.

Another interception saw the lead further extended, but Castle had begun to realise that they were not likely to beat the students at their own game and decided to focus on keeping the ball in the forwards rather than spinning it wide.

The strategy paid off as a catch and drive saw Barney rumbling towards the University tryline.

The students illegally stopped the momentum and the referee had no hesitation in awarding a penalty try.

There was still time before half-time for the impressive Durham winger to weave his way through for another outstanding try and the score stood at 36-7 at the break.

The second half began in familiar fashion with the University extending their lead further with a couple of well-taken tries.

By this stage, however, Barney had begun to learn their lesson and were playing a tighter game, focusing on keeping the ball in the forwards and it paid off as Marty Lonsdale went over from close range for the try following another Castle drive.

Another rapid break saw the students extend their lead further, but Barney bagged their third try of the day when another lineout catch and drive saw Ben Parker

cross for the try to make it 53-17.

Barney were playing their best rugby of the day with impressive man-of-the-match Joe Gibbons prominent and they went in search of their fourth try.

They were rewarded with a great team try finished in the corner by Ralph Makepeace.

By now former colt Luke Wherry had entered the field for his first team debut and he played his part in setting up the score.

University ran in a couple of late tries to leave the final total at 66-24, which didn’t really reflect the fact that Barney had given a good account of themselves in the second half.

Barney travel to Bishop Auckland tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm) for what should be another tough test.

Barnard Castle: 1 Marty Lonsdale (Lifestyle Logistics), 2 Danny Souter (Hughes family), 3 James Peareth (Peareth Financial), 4 Sam Bell (Dickinson’s Agriculture), 5 Jack Worley (Bambi & Jayne), 6 Doug Shaw (Wendy & Camille), 7 Joe Gibbons (S Patterson & M Coates), 8 Henry Thompson (The Old Chapel), 9 Reggie Langton (BK Robson Dry Stone Walling), 10 Ralph Makepeace (D Souter Farrier Services),11 Tom Steen (Pulse Accountants), 12 Fergus Makepeace, 13 Elijah Delaidriti (S&RD Parker), 14 Harry Parker (Fox and Hounds, Cotherstone), 15 Oscar Jacques (Beauty Therapy Clinic), 16 Ben Parker (Potts Groundwork Solutions Ltd), 17 Luke Wherry, 18 Robbie Lavin (C & J Marshall).