Boys can be proud of this performance (From Barry And District News)

Boys can be proud of this performance

NARBERTH 46 BARRY 0

A PRE-NOON start from the club house saw the majority of the team arrive at Narberth with plenty of time to study the match programme for this third round WRU Konika Minolta Cup match.

This then gave the players time to realise the enormity of the challenge being facing them against Premiership opponents.

Facts such as half a dozen Llanelli and Scarlet Under-21 squad members captained by a 52-cap Fijian second row looked daunting enough.

Then to see Scott Quinnell in the warm-up, thankfully only helping with coaching, emphasised the vast gulf between the sides, especially in playing resources.

Barry had been unable to obtain sufficient players to make up a full subs bench. The home supporters were quick to agree that from start to finish the commitment of the Barry players was equal if not greater at times than their more illustrious opponents.

The Narberth pack's greater size saw them score a couple of "push over" scores from set pieces. When on attack some unfortunate handling errors from Barry saw the home side quick to counter-attack and grab a few more tries as well.

Some of the notable moments and performances included the huge Fijian attempting to tackle a charging Dave Provis and shocked to bounce back off him.

Second row Martin Tanner made some destructive runs as main ball carrier and his partner and main line-out jumper John Campbell took excellent ball.

The ever versatile Lewis Williams, playing at No 8 in the first half, showed first rate handling skills before standing in for the injured Brad Gee at hooker on half-time, with replacement Jason Evans coming into the back row.

Flanker James Hadfield had to leave the field midway through the second half through injury, with John Dimond coming on and the whole team being re-arranged.

A hand injury to fellow back row Owain Brown saw him manfully stay on, as the only other reserve Noel Sheppard had already been required to replace the injured Rhys, Sheppard's first team debut being a real baptism of fire, but he acquitted himself well.

If the two or three goal scoring chances that Barry created during the game had been taken, then those scores would have been a truer reflection of the team's gutsy performance.

Despite what might have seem a heavy defeat, conceding six tries, this was a commendable performance. Hopefully, the injuries will not be long lasting as the team can concentrate on the league.

If the same level of effort and commitment can be shown this Saturday when Treorchy are the visitors to the Reservoir Field, ko 2.30pm, then without doubt the result will be more positive.