ST PETERS 2nd XV 41pts BARRY 2nd XV 34

AFTER four weeks off, Barry RFC Seconds returned to action with a tough away fixture against St Peters.

With over 15 players unavailable or called up to the 1st XV, and three more dropping out on the morning of the game, management duo Rhidian Scott and Ken Chow had to utilise all their expertise to piece a team together.

Leighton Jones and Liam Ring made their first starts for the 2nd XV, Lee David was recalled after six months, and Chow was, at one point, front row cover among the replacements.

The same side had put over 60 points past Barry in the reverse fixture on the opening weekend of the season, and the task seemed impossible for the away side, especially with their less than ideal preparations.

With the home side expecting a walkover, the reverse proved closer to the mark as the debutants wore their shirt with pride and played above themselves. After conceding an early try out wide, Barry rallied and took the game to their opponents, with the returning Grantley Harris right in the mix of things. After latching on to an interception, it was no surprise when Elliot Evans raced through to score under the posts, with Adam Lee adding the extras to give the visitors a surprise lead.

The game was proving to be an end-to-end affair, with the Barry defence holding firm most of the time against a strong St Peters backline which asked a lot of questions.

The hosts managed to wrestle the lead back with two tries but Barry rallied when they took advantage of having an extra man after the home side had their captain sin binned for numerous indiscretions. Lee created the opportunity with a probing kick, and Jack Giddings got the crucial touchdown. Lee again added the extras.

The scrum, which was Barry’s achilles’ heel in the reverse fixture, was proving formidable, with debutants Jones and especially Ring outstanding, whilst the forward quartet of Lee Jones, Nick Rolfe, and, in particular, Giddings and Lee David were sensational in the loose. Barry regained the lead with ruthless efficiency as they pinned their hosts on the try line before Lee dived over for another converted score.

Then came the turning points of the match, with St Peters benefiting from some contentious refereeing decisions. The official first awarded the home side a try when a suspiciously forward pass in the build-up was not spotted, and then penalised the visitors with a penalty try after David Williams had knocked the ball backwards – but the referee ruled otherwise.

Lee’s boot kept Barry in touch, and it was from a kick in open play that Barry scored their fourth try of the day, with Ryan Case the beneficiary. There was a grandstand finish from the visitors as they camped on the home try line but it was not to be as they ran out of time.

Ultimately, the team wore the shirt with pride on the day and gained two bonus points from a difficult fixture, the result of which was pleasing to the management given the difficult preparations for the match.

Barry return to action on December 8 at Cardiff High School Old Boys.

Team: Poole; Case, Harris, D Williams, Evans; J Williams, Lee; Leighton Jones, Houldey, Ring; Giddings, Westall; Lee Jones, David and Rolfe (c). Subs used: Hall, Betts and Bailey. Subs not used: Chow. Man-of-the-match: Giddings.