Barney overcome Stockton – and ‘mini beast from the east’ – to take points

BARNARD Castle RUFC 1st XV defied snow, hail and blizzard conditions to overcome Stockton at the Demesnes this afternoon.

A morning inspection gave the game the green light and the hardy supporters who turned out were rewarded with three unanswered Barney tries – a performance all the more impressive after the side was were reduced to 14 players mid-way through the first half.

In fact at one point, Barney had just 12 on the field following a red and two yellow cards.

However, the forwards put in a superb second half display, dominating for long periods as Barney ran out deserved winners.

Full report and more pictures in next week’s Mercury