Last updated at 16:08, Thursday, 29 November 2012

BARROW Thorns Under-16s boys endured mixed fortunes in a double-header at York.

IN THE POINTS: Barrow Thorns players Louis Simon (number 13), Luke McCracken (number 7) and Matthew Moore (number 10) were in the points against York Eagles HARRY ATKINSON REF: 50039454B009

Playing the host team’s first and second squads, Barrow won their opener but ran out of ideas when it came to the Eagles’ top side.

York Eagles U16s II 54 Barrow Thorns U16s 70

AFTER a long journey, the Barrow team started slowly and found themselves trailing 16-11.

Following a timeout and the introduction of Jake Allonby, Thorns finally began to move the ball better, with some easy baskets coming their way, with Matthew Moore in particular finishing some excellent moves as they took an 18-16 lead.

Moore and Louis Simon were rebounding well and causing all sorts of problems for the Eagles’ defence as they built a 28-18 lead. The home side managed to cut the advantage slightly before the break, but at half-time Barrow led 34-28.

From the restart Thorns slowly began to build on their lead, with points from Simon, Jacob Spurling and Luke McCracken stretching it to 46-34.

Solid man-to-man defence limited Eagles’ scoring opportunities and, as the game entered its final quarter, the visitors held a comfortable 55-41 advantage.

Allonby was having his best game in a Thorns jersey and, with Moore still scoring well, the Barrow side built a match-winning 64-45 lead with only three minutes remaining.

York did cut the deficit a little, but as the final whistle blew Thorns ran out winners.

Points: M Moore 30, L Simon 15, J Allonby 7, L McCracken 7, J Cox 4, N Doherty 2, J Spurling 2, S Spurling 2, J Rooke 1.

Player-of-the-Match: Matthew Moore.

Special Mention: Jake Allonby.

York Eagles U16s 110 Barrow Thorns U16s 44

HAVING beaten the second string, Thorns now had to take on the stronger York side and from the start were completely outplayed.

Barrow could not cope with the York team’s pressure defence as the home side built a 32-9 lead by the end of the first period.

The second quarter saw an improvement for the visitors, with Simon and Moore finishing some good breaks, but at half-time they trailed 51-26.

Barrow looked a tired and beaten side throughout the second half as they turned the ball over and were continually out-rebounded, allowing York to run away with the game.

Points: L Simon 18, M Moore 15, L McCracken 5, J Spurling 4, N Doherty 2.

Player-of-the-Match: Louis Simon.

Special Mention: Matthew Moore.

First published at 16:06, Thursday, 29 November 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk