Barnard Castle 58 v Houghton 33
Castle triumph in thrilling try-fest

With skipper Sam Bell (Sponsor: Dickinson Agricultural) joining the lengthening injury list vice-captain, Ralph Makepeace (D Souter Farrier Services) stepped-up to lead the side in what promised to be a tough test against a side who were lying one place above Barney at fourth in the league.

Castle began superbly and scored a brilliant try almost from the kick-off as a scintillating sprint down the touchline from hooker Danny Souter (Ally Bottoms) saw him offload to Ali Johnston who in turn fed Matthew Osbourne (Roman Ltd) for his first try of the day. The conversion by Ralph was successful, 7-0.

Barney soon doubled their lead as a great interception by Jack Tobbell (The Clique) saw him race in for the try from within his own half and Ralph again added the extra’s, 14-0. Almost immediately they had stretched their lead to 19-0 after great phases of play saw Harry Parker (Fox and Hounds Cotherstone) finally weave his way over for a try in the top corner.

Houghton hadn’t really ventured into the Castle half as the hosts had started at such a fast pace, but in the next action a kick through saw their pacy full-back taking advantage of a kindly bounce and an appeal for a knock-on to score the try. With the conversion successful Barney’s lead was cut to 19-7.

Barney were next on the scoresheet as a penalty kick by Ralph extended their lead to 22-7. Houghton hit back quickly though with a try in the bottom right-hand corner before Ozzy added his second try of the day with a brilliant snipe and shimmy from the back of a scrum close to the Houghton line. Houghton had the last word as half-time approached with a try from close range to leave the score at 29-19 at the break.

Houghton began the second half well and got back to within 3 points of Barney as a kick through saw their winger unmarked in space and he was able to run in for the try, 29-26. This seemed to inspire Barney to greater efforts and Ben Parker (Potts Groundworks) leapt to take the ball from the kick-off and raced away to claim the try. However, the referee felt that the ball wasn’t grounded and disallowed the try. Castle swallowed their disappointment and were immediately on the scoresheet again as another great break by Ozzy saw him offload to Ralph who ran in for the try, 34-26.

With newcomer Ritchie Adamson impressive off the bench Barney were enjoying another purple patch and a kick through by Ralph led to a knock-on by the Houghton defender and Jack Tobbell was on hand for the try. The scoreboard kept moving at pace as Ozzy bagged his hattrick with a try from a quick tap and he then turned provider as a great break saw him offload to Ben Parker for a well-deserved try to take the score to 51-26.

As the game moved towards the final whistle there was still time for a late try by Houghton, but Barney had the last word as a mazy run by Elijah Delaidriti (S & RD Parker) saw him power over for the final try of the day to leave the final score at 58-33.
Back in the clubhouse Matthew Osbourne was rightly awarded Man of the Match for a superb all-round display, which included an impressive hattrick. The club’s Old Boys were thanked as match sponsors and the ball sponsor was Neil Fenton.

Next week sees Castle make the long trip to Ashington and then their next home game is against DMP Elizabethans on Saturday 14th December for a 2pm kick-off.
Nick Raper