Local Derby Win

Barnsley 2nds. 6 : 46 Wath 2nds 21.2.15
Wath travelled to Barnsley for this local friendly derby. It was a clear day with a biting wind, things started badly with Barnsleys coach informing us that the game was to be played on their top field ‘Siberia’ due to 2nd pitch being boggy. We then had the news that Jonty Morrisey had got lost on the journey, this raised some eyebrows as he had trained with them a month ago and has played there for 10 years. Wath won the toss and opted to kick into the gale in the first half. From the kick off the Wath pack got into its stride driving a couple of mauls one that was pushed into touch. From the following play Barnsley kicked long and the ball was caught and kicked into touch in Waths 22. The throw in from the Barnsley 2 was so crooked that Matt Myers caught it behind Jim West at 9, however the home back row were on him like a flash turned the ball over and passed it to their 10 who put it straight through the posts with a drop kick. 4 minutes gone 3-0. From the kick off the kick failed to make 10m so Barnsley opted for scrum back. The Wath tight five decided they would flex their muscles and drove Barnsley clean off the ball and from that the backs attacked fluently, good handling in awkward conditions got them to within 10m of line, when ref saw a knock on in the ruck. Scrum 10m to home team, ball put in at an oblique angle Wath pack drove over ball and continued to try line with super control at 8 from Matt Myers, converted 3-7. Following several phases of play from restart Wath gave a penalty away just inside their own half for crossing. Barnsley 10 steps up and strokes it through the posts from 45m, even gale assisted it was a very good kick. Wath continued to pour on the forward pressure, Barnsley changed props but it made little difference, Wath won all the scrums. Gaz Goddard was pinged at one scrum for boring in, he was most put out has he said it should have been for driving up as his opposing tightheads boots were 2 feet of the floor. Good possession and running put Cairns away for a try. Cory Cox replaced Jack Whitlam after 20 minutes, they were going to do half each but it didn’t seem fair to have one play into the gale and one with it so they shared the half. The pattern of the game continued with Wath scoring once more in first half from Danny Lord then in second half Matt Myers, Sam Holt, Jack Whitlam, Ben Cairns, plus a penalty try awarded by ref after Ben Cairns was tackled chasing a chip through without the ball. The ref was young kept up with play and explained his decisions well. Good game control and let the scrumagers scrumage. Sizeable crowd about 60 watching and braving the 2 minute hailstorm in first half. Good Wath performance and no incidents in what has at times been a tasty derby. Barnsley are a young side and showed potential they will improve with experience no doubt. Following changing room discussions it was agreed that Ben would have scored the chip through try had he not been tackled and therefore it was a Hat trick, true to the spirit he bought a jug!!
Team; Gaz Goddard, Bob Lazenby, Steve West, Jason Cotton, Jonty Morrisey, Joey Minshul, Tony Kenney, Matt Myers, Jim West, Jack Whitlam, Cory (Boris) Cox, Andy Linton, Danny Lord, Sam Holt, Ben Cairns, Luke Pendlebury, Jake Staniforth, Alex Dunn, Ginger Mcnally, Tom Mullen

Written by Bob West