Barry beaten by free running Tonyrefail (From Barry And District News)

Barry beaten by free running Tonyrefail

TONYREFAIL 44

BARRY 1ST XV 24

THE corresponding fixture last October saw a closely fought 6-3 victory to Barry on a quagmire of a pitch in the early stages of the season.

This time, in perfect playing conditions, there were almost as many tries as there were points in that first game, but once again Barry were unable to deliver against a team above them in the league.

Matters were not helped by Easter Week commitments of some players, and the problems of team manager Colin Knapman in obtaining the services of recognised front row players and substitutes.

Thanks to the short notice responses of David Oxenham, Rhys Blumberg and Glyn Pirso, Barry were able to name the required 19 players.

The alternative would have been the indignity of passive scrums or the deduction of league points as Dinas Powys have recently suffered in their division.

Despite all these efforts Barry were unfortunately unable to gain a solid scrummage base and after ten minutes found themselves trailing by a converted try and penalty.

A further penalty was conceded before Dave Provis grabbed the first of his three tries.

A quick tap penalty saw outside-half Rhydian Scott kick crossfield and excellent chasing up and harrying from Provis resulted in a mix-up by pressurised defenders allowing the winger to pluck the loose ball from the air for a 20-metre run to the corner.

Scott converted superbly from the touchline.

In the closing ten minutes of the half, Rhydian Scott put over a penalty kick but only after a similar attempt by the home side along with a converted pushover try to lead 23-10 at the interval.

Substitute Blumberg and Andrew Rosser started in the front row for the second period but Barry soon trailed further to a converted try.

Immediately from the kick-off Barry struck back as Provis was put away on the blind side of a ruck to use his pace and reach the corner. Scott again expertly converted from out wide.

Bad luck struck midway through the half when, from in front of his own posts, a penalty clearance kick by Scott of Henson-like proportions, unfortunately bounced away from the touchline and over the dead ball line.

From the resulting scrum back, the home side scored a converted try and Barry never really recovered.

Now with increased confidence, Tonyrefail ran everything and on one occasion scored a length-of-the-field try with quality handling.

To Barry's credit, they did not give up and with Provis hunting for the ball, he latched on to a midfield pass to beat three men for a deserved hat-trick.

Despite pressing strongly at the end, Barry were unable to close the gap any further, but played their part in a very entertaining game.

The months of February and March were not the most productive in the league from Barry's point of view.

Hopefully April will start with a bang and the visit of Tylorstown this Saturday, April 2, ko 2.30pm at the Reservoir Fields, will see the 1st XV kick off the final two months of the season with a double victory.