Both the adult teams continue to do well in their respective leagues with the first XV sitting in second place of Durham & Northumberland 1, just four points behind leaders Durham City, but with a game in hand.
Top try scorer to date is number 8 Rob Stanwix with nine tries, while fly-half Greg Upton has amassed 73 points already courtesy of six tries, 20 conversions and a penalty goal.
The training and pitch side support from coach Junior and Mally Kicks respectively has been a crucial factor in the success of the squad.
The second team are also doing the club proud this season.
They had a difficult time last year when, in an attempt to get more reliable fixtures, they moved into a more challenging league.
However, this year they have flourished with a very young side and currently lie in fifth position.
Nurtured by the captaincy of James Croxford and Steve Holloway (top scorer with 76 points), the side is populated with a number of 17 and 18-year-old players fresh up from the junior side of the club.
There is huge promise in the likes of Matthew Brunskill, Jon Lucas, Zach Jones, Charges Garland and Dean Bainbridge, some of who have already been given some first team exposure.
The other key player is Dan Swires, who has helped keep the side ticking over in the pivotal position of flyhalf and is equal top try scorer with Brunskill on six touchdowns so far.
While the senior sides have been progressing, the girls side has been going from strength-to-strength and their association with Mowden.
Four Barney players have made the county squads, two of them getting game time and the players are quickly closing the gap on more established teams.
Not to be outdone, under the leadership of Lee Ainsley, the junior side of the club still continues to flourish with more than 100 boys and girls turning out every Sunday to test their skills, speed and tackling prowess under the watchful eye of a battalion of superb coaches.
Due to demand, the U10s and U11s have combined to start training on Thursday nights this season.
This has improved their match play and helped with the development of the inexperienced members of the teams.
Currently, the teams train at Barnard Castle School gym, 5.30pm to 6.30pm as well as regular Sunday sessions.
The club also plans to reintroduce an U14 team due to the interest shown by players in that age group.
Sessions are due to start by the end of January. Anyone interested in this age group can contact Lee Ainsley at ledyainsley@googlemail.com
The U15s have gone unbeaten so far this season, claiming the notable scalps of Northern, DMP, Yarm and Blaydon. A very strong squad, they are off on tour to south west Wales at Easter.
The backroom support continues to be unsurpassed with new physio Emily Holden adding her own skills to the team that supports the players on match days while Moira Smart and John Seymour continue to ensure that Barney is one of the most loved clubs in the region for the warmth of its welcome and class food.
The club’s officers work tirelessly to ensure the infrastructure is top notch and that there is a sound financial framework to back the activities of the club at all levels.
As the club enters 2018, there is a final word of thanks to the sponsors who give so generously and all the volunteers who selflessly contribute to making the club such a great place to be.
Dave Bottoms
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.