Tynedale edge battle of the dales

Tynedale Raiders 24 v Barnard Castle 13

It was Teesdale versus Tynedale as Barney travelled to Corbridge to face the league leaders for what would be a hard-fought, keenly contested game that the hosts just edged in the closing minutes.

With Tynedale’s first team operating successfully in the national leagues their second string have been admitted to the local league structure for the first time alongside the second and third teams of some of the other clubs in the region.

They have made an immediate impact and sit at the top of the table, unbeaten, having won all of their previous games by convincing margins.

So, Castle made the trip knowing that they would have to be at their very best to take something away from the game.

They began in the worst possible way, as from the kick-off Tynedale secured a scrum and then used their momentum to put Castle under pressure and claim the opening try from close range.

With the simple conversion successful the hosts had established a very early lead, 7-0.

Barney were not deterred and hit back immediately as a delicate chip through by fly half Ralph Makepeace saw Elijah Delaidriti win the race to touch down for the try and with Ralph on target with the conversion the scores were level again at 7-7.

The remainder of the half was a full-blooded affair with both defences tested on a number of occasions, but proving resolute.

As half time approached Tynedale made the breakthrough and some excellent handling saw the ball shipped to the left wing and they claimed a try in the corner.

With the conversion missed Tynedale held a narrow lead at 12-7 that they carried into the half time break.

Castle made a lively start to the second half and really put the hosts defence to the test, but without a score to show for their efforts.

It was Tynedale, though, who were next on the scoreboard when a quick penalty saw them drive over in the corner. With the conversion the lead grew to 19-7.

Barney hit back with the lion’s share of possession and with Ben Parker prominent with huge hits, but were met with determined Tynedale defence.

An infringement by Tynedale however saw the award of a penalty to Castle and they took the opportunity to add to their points total through the boot of Ralph Makepeace to narrow the scores at 19-10.

A few minutes later further Barney pressure saw the award of another penalty and Ralph duly obliged with the successful kick to take Castle to within a converted try as the game entered the final stages, 19-13.

Castle now scented a victory and went in search of a final try to win the game, but in the closing couple of minutes a succession of penalties drove Barney back into their 22 and from the resulting scrum the home scrum- half darted over for the try. With the conversion missed the score stood at 24-13.

There was still time for the restart and Barney took the ball deep into the opposition half, but the referee blew for time to dash any hopes of a losing bonus point.

This was an exciting game, played in a great spirit and Barney can count themselves as extremely unlucky to come away with nothing from such a high-quality performance.

Tynedale were excellent hosts and are hot favourites to win the league at a canter and their officials agreed that Barney had given them their toughest test of the season to date.

Next Saturday sees Barney in action in the county cup, for a 2pm kick off, facing Darlington again, who they narrowly defeated in the opening league fixture of the season.

Team: 1 Danny Souter (Hughes Family), 2 Doug Shaw (Wendy & Camille) 3 Danny Souter (Hughes Family), 4 Henry Thompson (The Old Chapel), 5 James Peareth (Peareth Financial) 6 Joe Gibbons (S Patterson & M Coates) 7 Ben Parker (Potts Groundworks) 8 Lewis Thwaites (Available to sponsor), 9 Matthew Osborne (Roman Ltd), 10 Ralph Makepeace (D Souter Farrier Services), 11 Oscar Jacques (The Beauty Clinic), 12 Elijah Delaidriti (S & RD Parker), 13 Radovu (Available to sponsor) 14 Harry Parker (Fox and Hounds, Cotherstone), 15 Fergus Makepeace (Available to sponsor) 16 Eddie Anderson (JR & B Anderson & Son), 17 Jack Worley (Bambi & Jayne), 18 Aisake Matebalavu (Available to sponsor)

Nick Raper