rugby
Barnard Castle Development XV ................46
Middlesbrough 3rd XV ................................40
Barney’s Development XV are developing nicely. So much so, that team manager Paul Davis had a number of replacements at his disposal and when Barney’s Fijian regulars, Bats and Bill, arrived with two colleagues who were looking for a game, he had no hesitation in loaning the new arrivals to the opposition who had arrived with 13 players, with two more expected to arrive after the kick off.
This sporting gesture looked as if it would rebound on Castle as the newcomers both turned out to be exceptional players and were instrumental, along with Middlesbrough’s excellent young winger, in seeing the visitors racing into an early comfortable lead, 0-19.
Castle took a while to settle, but eventually began to exert a degree of control and with the scrum working well, Maurice ‘Bats’ Batiuluna picked up and raced in from half-way for their opening score. Castle picked up a yellow card for a high tackle, but they now had the momentum and another impressive break by Bats saw Will Watkin (Sponsor: The Energetics Clinic) making good yards before offloading to Calum Fairbairn who ran in for the try. Kai North (SP Construction) was good with the conversion, 12-19.
As the half time whistle approached, Castle were able to tie the scores when a lovely break saw excellent handling by Will as he offloaded to Kieran Appleton who rounded the last defender for the try. With Kai once again on target with the conversion it was all square at 19-all at the break.
Barney rang the changes at the interval and Dan Richardson (John Lowery) was soon on the scoresheet with an excellent try following his own chip and a great take by Kai North, who passed back to Dan who, in turn, evaded several defenders for the try.
Shortly afterwards, Dan turned provider, making good yards before passing the ball to Jonny Burgess who ran in powerfully for the try, 29-19.
Barney were really into their stride at this point and another lovely try by Dan saw them extend their lead to 34-19.
The game had been played in an excellent spirit up to this point, but an unnecessary flurry of punches saw the Middlesbrough scrum half rightly red-carded. Reduced to 14 men, Middlesbrough were galvanised and were soon back in contention when their excellent number 11 used his pace to score a breakaway try, 34-26.
Some uncharacteristically poor Castle tackling saw Boro get back to within a point, as the resultant try took the scores to 34-33.
As the final whistle drew nearer, Barney looked to be slipping towards an undeserved defeat as the Middlesbrough number 11 once again used his pace to score and take a late lead, 34-40.
Barney weren’t done, however, and Bats once again used his strength and pace to storm through the Boro ranks for another excellent solo try. With Dan successful with the conversion Castle had edged into the lead, 41-40.
With the final whistle about to sound Ali Johnston broke from halfway and sealed the victory with a superb try to leave the final score at 46-40.
Back in the clubhouse, the opposition named impressive second row, Bill Nuwala, as the Castle man of the match, with the ever improving, Kai North getting an honourable mention.
There were celebrations for a well-deserved win for a team who are coming along nicely.
Nick Raper
