Barking 96, Lydney 14
Barking were crowned champions of the National League Two South on Saturday with a massive victory, running in 12 tries to set up a date at Twickenham.
The day began with The Eastenders only needing to win to guarantee themselves of silver wear. At a packed Goresbrook the fans witnessed an overpowering victory that was a superb end to a good season.
Barking remained unbeaten at home all throughout the season and showed just why. It did not take long for them to get started as Marcus Bloomberg opened the scoring with a converted try courtesy of Craig Ratford.
From there they went from strength to strength, always applying pressure on the visitors. Lydney spent most of the first half chasing Barking and rarely were in procession themselves in an advantageous position.
Chris Jones added another converted try as Barking were quick to throw away their early nerves. Ratford was able to add a try of his own as he converted boosting his own scoring tally.
As the first half went on it was all one way traffic and it was clear Lydney just could not cope with what was being presented with them.
With Ratford on fine form, Barking hadn’t long to wait till Harry Owens went over with the ball, Ratford’s conversion added to the score to make it 28-0 with only 24 minutes gone on the clock.
Barking were dominating and perhaps sending out a message to their northern opponents whom they will play in the National League Two final on May 8 at Twickenham.
James Kellard was able to add a converted try soon after, the number 8 was in emphatic form and has been all season. Kellard played well today and deserved to get his name on the score sheet this afternoon.
With half time yet to come, Lydney were gone without a trace and looked helpless as they were just unable to cope with Barking.
The mid-table team would be left wondering how this happened, but for Barking it was a win that sealed their title as well as securing their home record for the season.
Before half time Nico Fraser added the first of an amazing hat-trick of tries and David Vincent also scored an impressive try, however Ratford missed the conversion. At half time the score read 47-0.
Only two minutes into the second half Daniel Lloyd-Jones was on the end of a well timed pass from Fraser after a blistering run from the winger. From there Llyod-Jones was able to go over the try line and Ratfrod gladly added a conversion.
Two minutes later Fraser burst through as the visitors were just unable to cope with this pace, the quick winger was on fire today and showed no mercy to his opponents.
After half time Lydney were seeing slightly more of the ball, and were able to secure a try of their own when Daniel Freeman went over the line, Charles Vine was able to add a conversion but by this stage the game was as good as over and this only served as a consolation try.
Yet this did not stop Barking, or Fraser as he added his third converted try. Soon after, Levi Smith of Lydney added another try for the visitors that was duly converted by Freeman. By this stage the score only added to save face.
Barking had only one thing in mind, and that was not to save Lydney from any embarrassment. Barking were still on the hunt for tries as they wanted to end the season on high.
Kellard and Vincent added two more tires before Jones added his second of the day.
Scott Shaw came from the bench to end day for Barking, Shaw stumbled over the try line with Lydney powerless to prevent the inevitable.
The final result was the highest score that Barking have managed all season. The Eastenders gave a loud warning call to their opponents in the national league final, and also for next season.