Barnsley made it four games unbeaten with an away win at Thirsk. It was another narrow margin of victory, When territory and opportunities ought to have seen a more comfortable win. Howling wind, hampered both sides and Barnsley played into it first.

Barnsley had been looking forward to this fixture, their own administrative error, prior to the reverse match meant Thirsk could claim the points. A right they duly exercised despite being beaten, five tries to two in a fully contested game.

After a scrappy opening, miscommunication at the scrum quickly became opportunity for Eaden. He stole through a gap carrying 60 m quickly. Barnsley looked one phase away from a certain try, but unfortunately the ball went to ground and Thirsk escaped.

Skipper, Joe Green suffered a facial injury, making a tackle, which led to a delay.

Thirsk hacked a loose ball downfield scrambling defensive work from Lau and Lowe gave Jack Edwards chance to launch a phenomenal clearance into the wind and keep scores even. A melee ensued, following one clearance and a yellow card was issued to Thirsk.

Barnsley took the ball at the line out which became a defining feature of the match. Hatfield threw superbly given the conditions hence Barnsley throws were reliable and Thirsk a lottery.

Eaden won another collision and then was mauled deep into the 22 by his supporting pack. Reed broke the line thereafter and Thirsk had to run offside to prevent an overlap. Hyde outthought all running in to take a quick tap to feed a charging England. Offside defenders challenged him, a penalty try could have resulted but England had the power to score anyway. Perry bagged the extras.

Uncertainty around the loose ball, cost Barnsley several times and they gave away a penalty as a result of one instance. An attempt for touch was sliced and carried in goal by the wind, resulting in a drop out.

During a long defensive set Barnsley held out,. Thirsk felt they needed to score a try and turned down several kickable penalties.
Barnsley lucky not to be carded themselves. Hatfield made a big tackle at a penalty to add to an excellent contribution of carrying and link play, polished off by his line out prowess.

Barnsley turned tables in the final moments of the half. England was held up after great work from Adam Edwards and Hyde. A brilliant tackle on Reed kept the score to 7 nil at halftime.

At the resumption, Barnsley gave away their hard fought lead pretty cheaply. A rare dropped kickoff by Reed and a couple of penalties opened the door for Thirsk to score by the posts. It was pretty route one, which was disappointing for Barnsley but Thirsk got quick ruck ball and capitalised on a retreating defence to go 7-7.

Thirsk threatened to reverse things entirely. With an overlap a kick to space was preferred and Hardwick fielded when not favourite to do so. Moments later he ripped back possession again to snuff out the danger. A monster Perry kick was followed up by a tremendous England tackle, forcing a knock on, and a massive territory gain was achieved.

A final forward pass with the hard work done denied Hardwick a try and Barnsley took a shot at goal that drifted wide as they went into the ascendency.

Reed broke, Henighan backed up before Reed again took Barnsley within inches. Scrappy scrum ball led to an off the cuff, delightful chip from Hyde through for Ward to win the race and score the match winner.

Joe Green bravely returned to the fray to cover an injury and was part of a long defensive stint from Barnsley to end the tie. A long drop from Perry was tipped out of play and Barnsley were deserving winners 7-12.

Tom Kittrick Quotes

It’s a good win, they are a good team and we had to work hard for it. The lads have been great since me and Andrew have taken over, the attitude and effort has been outstanding. We talk a lot with the lads about the non negotiables attitude, effort, energy and skill and they did all that to win.

As Iv said a number of times we are heading in the right direction, we are winning ugly at the minute but the position we found the club when we came in it’s was important to just win. It’s close to clicking they are starting to understand what we expect, time is our best friend at the minute. We will keep working hard Tuesday and Thursdays and the first complete performance won’t be too long away.

Next Saturday is important they are in some good form but we want to go into the Christmas break unbeaten in 5 games. That’s the challenge and the lads are hungry for it.