Winning return for Barrow Ladies RL against Huddersfield

BARROW Ladies celebrated their first home game for more than 10 years with victory over Huddersfield at Rating Lane.

In a well-contest match-up, both sides gave their all in front of an excellent crowd at Barrow Island's home ground.

Barrow fielded a mixture of youth, experience and some fine rugby union players, who are starting to show their skill in the other code.

They started at a fast pace and raced into a 10-0 lead with two outstanding tries.

The first was a great piece of rugby skill from Sharron Tucker, who glided past the Huddersfield defence and fed Michelle Larkin through a gap to score.

The second saw Katie Gower break through the visiting defence and race in to score from 50 metres. Tucker added the conversion from the touchline.

Huddersfield were spurred into action and started to play some quality rugby.

They capitalised on a mistake from the Barrow defence to orchestrate a unconverted try and close to 10-4.

The home side had fine running from Rachel Jones, Amy Beard and Aimee Rose Sharp, who played the full 80 minutes in the forward line.

Barrow were again in control and Jodie Litherland showed all her experience and skill to frustrate Huddersfield.

Both sides were again holding nothing back in the tackle, which led to some great hits from Emily Stirzaker, Larkin and Fern Henderson.

But Huddersfield forced another error from the Barrow defence under the high ball and took advantage with a try to reduce the deficit to 10-8.

The game was being played at a frantic pace, with the hosts making use of their full squad as union convert Sarah Boaler came on for hard-working debutant Kelly Friend.

As half-time approached, Barrow upped the ante and produced another outstanding try as the ever-improving Sarah Wilkinson broke through the defence line with blistering pace to score from 40 metres. Tucker added the conversion.

That should have been it for the half, but from the kick-off Barrow again made an unforced error and allowed Huddersfield to score on the whistle, leaving it 16-12 at the break.

The second half began with Huddersfield on the front foot, forcing Barrow mistakes. The visitors were thwarted by strong defensive work from new girl Samantha Norman, Jesse Cape and Kayleigh Stockdale.

The pressure eventually told though as they scored another unconverted try to level.

Huddersfield continued to push, and it was only the improve Barrow defence preventing them from scoring.

Coach John Johnson brought on Fleur Stanton and Becky Brown and, even though Barrow were spending most of the time in their own half, there was always a possibility of a break.

This came to fruition as Litherland again broke the line to feed Friend, who ran in to score. Tucker missed the conversion.

Barrow were beginning to tire and Huddersfield kept pressing, though frustration set in as Wilkinson and Tucker led the defence.

Barrow Ladies produced another break through Larkin, followed by a fine kick to the corner by Litherland. Stirzaker took advantage of some sleepy Huddersfield defence to score. Tucker made no mistake this time as the conversion went over via the crossbar for 26-16.

The visitors did not give up, playing some clever rugby, which was eventually rewarded with a well-taken converted try under the sticks.

This was not what the flagging Barrow side needed as the game entered the final stages, but they held on for the win with resilient defending.

Wilkinson was named the referee's player-of-the-match, with Tucker the pick of the Huddersfield coaching staff.

Barrow Ladies host Stanningley at Rating Lane tomorrow (2pm kick-off).

The team hold training sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Chetwynde School between 7pm and 8pm. All new players are welcome. There will be no training on Thursday, November 16, as the venue is unavailable.