After a week of rest, BARUFC’s 1st XV returned to league action with a visit from Redcar, who are sitting a few places higher than the hosts in N&D League 2. Redcar have always fielded a strong team, with a reputation for strong forwards and hard running backs.
The team were tested early on with an Ollie Grey error at the kick-off allowing Redcar to put in to the first scrum. The BA forwards passed the test with an early display of scrum power to take the ball and set off into the visitors 22. With some strong running from Nareki, BA made a frantic start. There was strong running and driving play, but some poor ball retention allowed Redcar to clear and run down to the BA 22. The BA forwards consolidated the scrum power with a fine line out take and immense drive from the half-way line to within 20 yards of the line. Again, poor retention allowed Redcar to clear. More lineout possession and driving play with Nareki to the fore again gave quick and clean possession to Grey, who created a gap and took the chance to go through and score the opening try near the posts. With the conversion by Grey, BA led 7-0 with 20 minutes gone.
The game was very frantic with both sides trying to run hard and clearly the adrenaline of the top-of-the-table clash was getting to both sets of players. Redcar were again out-muscled at the scrum and this gave the BA backs the chance to run into space and the impressive Rhys Jary took the chance to score another try. On 25 minutes BA led 12-0. But Redcar are at the top of the table for a reason and a good response from a talented team led to 12-5. At half time BA lead 12-8.
In the second half Grey again got the ball and went on to score his second try of the game. He converted again to extend the BA lead to 19-8. Redcar then gained a penalty to reduce the arrears to 19-11.
As the game neared the end a series of injuries saw a number of replacements, and as the darkness of a November night approached, Redcar had a final chance to reduce the arrears and gain a losing point. However the chance was spurned and BA closed out the game for a good win.
Final score, Bishop 19 – 11 Redcar.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
