Barry RFC 2nds climb table thanks to home win (From Barry And District News)

Barry RFC 2nds climb table thanks to home win

8:00am Thursday 10th January 2013 in Sport

BARRY RFC 2nd XV 15 CRCC 2nd XV 5

BARRY RFC 2nds began their calendar year by hosting Clwb Rygbi on a dry winter’s day at the Reservoir Fields.

The management team of Rhidian Scott and Ken Chow recalled Rhys Gooderham after injury, whilst Kyle Case was drafted in as a last-minute replacement after Jack Giddings was called up by the 1st XV.

Barry began the game sluggishly, seemingly still trying to shake off their Christmas hangover. There seemed a lack of commitment in the contact area, and the set-piece was alarmingly shaky. It was no surprise therefore when the away side took a deserved lead, scoring in the corner for an unconverted try.

With Barry hardly winning any line-out ball, and the scrum also creaking, the talented backline had precious little to work with. Instead they upped the ante in the defensive department, shutting out relentless away attacks to keep the score at 0-5.

Home indiscretion in the ruck area, however, gifted a penalty opportunity to CRCC, but when the kick sailed wide, it was up to Gooderham to collect and run from behind his own try-line. His good work was carried on by the forwards, who carried well before unleashing first Harris, then Tom Poole who raced away to score out wide. Adam Lee was unable to add the extras.

There was no further score before half time, and coach Scott decided to bring Josh Flynn off the replacement bench to bring some dynamism into the pack. It worked early on in the half as home pressure resulted in a penalty opportunity, which Lee duly took to give Barry the lead.

The game ebbed and flowed, despite the difficult handling conditions and heavy ground, as both sides vied for the next score. Barry’s course was not helped by Julian McTavish’s sin-binning for dissent, but the home defence held firm yet again as Joe McCann’s boot constantly relieved the pressure.

In the end it was down to the veteran Harris who put the game beyond doubt, breaking the CRCC defensive line on his own to score under the posts. The conversion by Lee was a formality.

The away side tried to rally one last time but were denied by some impressive tackling once more, with Lee, Poole and Lee Jones outstanding.

The win sees Barry continue to climb up the table, and they continue their league action next weekend away to Llandaff.

Barry 2nds: Lee; D Williams, Gooderham, Harris, Poole; J Williams, McCann; Bowditch, Hosking, Heard; Haigh, McTavish; Case, Jones, Rolfe (c).

Replacements: Ring, Flynn, Davies, Evans.

Man-of-the-match: Harris.

* On Saturday (January 12). Barry RFC 2nds are away to Llandaff RFC 2nds. Kick-off 2.30pm.