Boys lose out to Dowlais (From Barry And District News)

Boys lose out to Dowlais

11:42am Thursday 14th December 2006

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BARRY 1ST XV 11 DOWLAIS 18 AFTER a superb performance in the mud away at league leaders Bedlinog the previous week, Barry came right back down to more solid home earth last Saturday with a rather stumbling display.

The hard work of restricting the visitors to just a penalty kick with the first half advantage of wind and slope would normally be sufficient to ensure a second half victory.

The score line would have been greater but for a wonder try-saving tackle by No 8 Jason Evans as the winger was diving into the corner.

That this was the highlight of the first half for Barry showed that the team performance was rather below par. The requirement for much greater work rate in the second half was emphasised at the interval, but this didn't come until after conceding a converted try eight minutes in.

To typify the back lustre performance Barry lost their own defensive five- metre line out that enabled the forward drive over the line.

A bursting run by winger Marvin Cordle set up the penalty for centre Chris Cummings to respond. Fellow wing Dave Provis marked his comeback after long term injury with a try moments later.

After good handling and passing skills from a quick tap penalty, particularly by flanker Owain Brown and centre John Dimond, Provis stepped inside a defender at pace to crash the line out wide.

Cummings almost levelled matters with his conversion attempt but at least Barry seemed to be in the game at last.

The momentum wasn't maintained though and midway through the half the attacking midfield skills of the visitors paid off with a 60-metre move at pace into the top corner.

A penalty apiece in the closing moments kept the deficit within a converted score.

There was to be no last gasp reprieve, or to enable a second successive draw.

Barry retain second place in the division on points scored, ahead of victors Dowlais and this week's visitors to the Reservoir Field, Aberdare, ko 2.30pm on Saturday, December 16.

* The following weekend's league fixture away to Taffs Well has been re-arranged to Thursday, December 21, ko 7pm.

The usual Boxing Day festivities will be held at the Barry Clubhouse on Tuesday, December 26.

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