Barnard Castle 7 v Bramley Phoenix 29: Barney fall to early cup exit

Barnard Castle 7 v Bramley Phoenix 29
Barney fall to early cup exit

Barney stepped out in the first round of the Papa John National Cup knowing that they would be in for a testing afternoon against opponents who ended their cup run last season, where extra time was required after the game was tied at the end of normal time.

A strong wind welcomed the players to the Demesnes and although the game began in sunshine the inevitable pouring rain arrived mid-way through the first half. The game began brightly with Bramley’s dangerous back-line opting to run the ball at every opportunity in the face of the gusting wind. With Harry Parker prominent, with some ferocious tackles, Castle’s defence held firm for most of the half and they mounted some promising attacks of their own as the half progressed.

On 25 minutes Bramley secured the breakthrough that their enterprising play probably deserved as the ball was spun wide and their winger showed an excellent turn of pace to run the ball in from just inside the Barney half. With the conversion Bramley led 0-7.

Castle hit back and spent several minutes camped on the Bramley line, but the visitors were able to hold the ball up and then clear their lines.
Just as it looked as if Barney were about to go into the half time break behind, they were able to conjure a superb score thanks to a lovely break from inside his own half by fly-half Ralph Makepeace and an offload to winger Luke Cowley who steamed in under the posts for the try. With the conversion by Ralph the score was tied at 7-7 as the half time whistle blew.

The second half began in atrocious conditions, but Bramley were able to edge back into the lead with a well-taken try by their full-back. Castle very nearly hit back immediately, but a break by flanker Ben Parker was stopped short of the line.

With Barney reduced to 14 men by a yellow card for a high tackle, Bramley took advantage and a quick tap penalty saw them grab the try to extend their lead to 7-21. Shortly afterwards they slotted a difficult penalty to extend their lead and take it out to beyond two converted tries at 7-24.

Barney continued to press for the try and rang the changes in the pack and the back-line, but to no avail and with the last move of the game Bramley had the final say as their excellent centre found space and ran in for an unconverted try to end the game at 7-29 to the visitors.
Bramley are a good side and last year they managed to go all the way to the cup final where they went down to a very narrow defeat and Barney wish them well this year and hope that they can go one better.

The opposition named Ralph Makepeace as the Barney Man of the Match for an excellent all-round display in testing conditions.

With Castle now out of the cup this proved to be their final game of the season. Overall, it has been a very good season for the club, with the very young first team finishing a respectable 7th in the league and a regular second team improving with every game. With so many young players, who are growing in confidence all the time and one or two who are due to return after long-term injury lay-offs, things are looking very positive for next season.

Nick Raper