Barnsley pull out of fourth game and first at Shaw Lane

THE STRUGGLING Barnsley RUFC’s men’s team withdrew from a match for the fourth time this season but the first time at home.

The Shaw Laners were due to host Yorkshire League Two leaders Wensleydale on Saturday but pulled out late last week.

It is the fourth time this season they have withdrawn from a game, as they are badly struggling to get a team together regularly due to a severe drop in numbers following the break for Covid-19 and many of last season’s promotion squad leaving.

The three previous pull-outs have been away from home but this is the first time they have been unable to fulfil a fixture at Shaw Lane.

They have been deducted five points for each of their withdrawals and have lost all seven of their completed matches with no bonus points.

That leaves them with minus 20 points and 33 adrift at the bottom of the division, having previously said they are playing for pride rather than survival this season.

They are scheduled to visit third-placed Baildon tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Wath lost 25-18 at Harrogate Pythons.

The hosts surged into a 17-3 lead, taking advantage of a yellow card for

Ben Cairns.

Joe Bartlett scored a try for Wath, with the conversion from Jack Whitlam who had earlier kicked a penalty.

After the teams swapped penalties in the second half, the Pythons added an unconverted try.

Sean Hopper touched down for Wath but the conversion was missed.

Wath picked up a bonus point for losing by only seven points.

They are fourth with 35 points from 11 games – 12 points off leaders Wensleydale and 11 behind the secondplaced Pythons.

Wath are now due to host North Ribblesdale tomorrow from 2.15pm. Barnsley Ladies are due to host Cheltenham Tigers tomorrow in the Championship North from 1pm at Shaw Lane. They are seventh in the second tier in England with three wins and four losses this season.