BARNSLEY RUFC First XV have a date with destiny on Saturday as they prepare for the biggest game in the club’s recent history. The town team, who are second bottom of Yorkshire League Two following last week’s defeat at Goole, entertain third-from-bottom Dinnington, who are just two points above them. With only five games remaining, a defeat will leave them four points adrift in the relegation zone and will almost certainly consign them to the drop. However, a win will see them leapfrog their opponents and put them back in the driving seat as the race to beat the drop hots up. Barnsley will consider themselves unlucky not to have taken anything from their game at Goole last week.

The first half was very much a tale of penalties. After a Goole penalty hit the crossbar, the hosts eventually opened up a 3-0 lead with the boot but Barnsley responded immediately. An excellent kick-and-chase by Andrew Appleyard put the Goole defence under pressure and together with Dave Reed, the pair forced the home player to hold onto the ball for too long on the ground. Scott Hinchliffe made no mistake with the boot and after Goole kicked themselves into another three-point lead, Hinchliffe levelled matters at 6-6. However, the turning point came right on half-time when, with just seconds remaining to the break, a sloppy pass from scrum half Ben Wheeler put his side under pressure midway inside his own half and Goole’s grateful recipient kicked the ball to the line for the game’s only try. It was a massive blow to the town side but they must now try and lift themselves for tomorrow’s crunch clash. Kick-off is 3pm.