Relieved Gainsborough All Blacks back in the groove

Barton might sit next to bottom in the table, but they are an improving side and All Blacks had to be at their best to carve out a 20-3 victory.

The first 15 minutes were even before the home side began to dominate when they spun the ball. The forwards took it to Barton at every opportunity, with Will Clixby and Jordan Berresford creating problems, and the deadlock was broken when Berresford charged through for a try on the left wing.

The visitors responded with a well-taken penalty, but by half-time, All Blacks had extended their advantage to 10-3, despite losing Clixby to the sin-bin. Man-of-the-match Ryan Woods burst through and offloaded to Vernon Goude, who scored his side’s second try.

The second half was a physical battle between two determined teams. But the Gainsborough outfit bagged a crucial third try when the direct-running Tom Mell crashed through three tackles to score, only moments after being switched to the left wing.

The victory was wrapped up by Carl Duffin, who made the most of his move to scrum-half with a try. But All Blacks did have to endure a tense finale after losing two more players, Andy Turner-Guest and Grant Bell, to the sin-bin.