Round 1: Rivalry Round – York Barbarians v New Earswick All Blacks ARLFC: Saturday 5th April -

Match Report: NEAB v York Barbarians

Date: Saturday 5th April 2025

Venue: York St. John University Sports Park

Round one Yorkshire Men’s League Division 3

Rivals Round

New Earswick All Blacks travelled to local rivals York Barbarians with confidence after their comprehensive victory over Bramley Buffaloes in the Yorkshire cup the previous week. The stage was set for this local derby with newly promoted York Barbarians keen to set an early marker down in this competition.

Conditions were perfect for the Yorkshire men’s league Round one opener, however the healthy crowd of local fans witnessed a scrappy affair, with both teams guilty of handling errors throughout the game. Credit to the newcomers, they managed to overcome a New Earswick side that showed plenty of effort throughout the game but lacked the composure and ball control to win the game.

It was the All Blacks that started the better of the two sides after the Barbarians conceded back-to-back errors in their early sets allowing the visitors vital field position which they capitalised on with James Leach touching down.

An error from the kick off gifted the Barbarians prime real estate to apply some pressure, but the All Blacks stood firm defending their try-line only to make an error with the next set of possession. This time the Barbarians took advantage of the field position scoring a wonderful try down their left edge through J. Harte.

Both teams struggled to find any rhythm in their play with an error strewn first half. But it was the Barbarians who struck again with a line break from S. Gibbs followed up by a simple dummy half dive over close to the line by T. Gibbs.

The All Blacks responded with some nice skill and attacking shape to their left just before half time with Will Holmes scoring in the corner. Unfortunately, Conor Calam failed to convert from the side-line so the Barbarians went in 12-10 up at the break.

A disappointing start to the second half for the All Blacks with the Barbarians scoring in the opening set. A last tackle kick back inside found space and a lack of urgency from New Earswick players to deal with the threat, saw the Barbarians rewarded for their kick chase effort with Steel scoring for the home side to extend the lead to 16 points to 10.

It was New Earswick who responded next with a wonderful try down the right side for captain Pete Richie. The All Blacks wrestled the lead back shortly after, with great hands moving the point of attack from left right finding space for Richie to go over for his second of the afternoon taking the score to 20 points to 16.However, the All Blacks didn’t help themselves after taking the lead managing to only complete one set from the final 5 sets they had with ball.

This invited the Barbarians with the opportunity to snatch the win in the final minutes. A high kick was put up 40m out down the right side and the All Blacks back 5 failed to deal with it, dropping the ball and allowing Ogilvie the opportunity to pick up the loose ball and score about 20m in from the right-hand touch line. The try was converted and York Barbarians managed to hang on for a 22-20 victory in the round one opener.

Head coach Paul Meilam was pleased with his sides effort throughout the game and felt with better ball control and a little more composure could have seen them win the game but congratulated the Barbarians on the win.

The All Blacks will be looking to bounce back when they take on Wyke in round two of the Yorkshire men’s league back at home on Saturday the 12th of April with a 2:30pm kick-off scheduled.

All Blacks team: Lancashire, Holmes, Oakley, Ritchie, Smith, Calam, Gargan, Hutchinson, Carling, Leach, Malarkey, Wilkins, Morton. Subs: Caddies, Gurden, Shaw, Telford

Man of the Match: Leo Hutchinson

Half-time: 10-12

Tries: Leach, Holmes

Conversions: Calam 1/2 – Sponsored by Yorkshire Scaffolding Services 

Second- half: 10-10

Tries – Richie x 2 – Sponsored by Fell Fitness Community 

Conversions – Calam 1/2 – Sponsored by Yorkshire Scaffolding Services 

Full Time: 20-22