BARRY RFC 2nd XV 40pts

LLANDAFF 2nd XV 5

CONTINUING their league campaign, Barry Rugby Club Seconds welcomed Llandaff on a blustery Saturday afternoon.

Manager Ken Chow had passed the pitch fit to play after a second morning inspection, and coach Rhidian Scott recalled Lee Jones in the back row after his unavailability last time out. Einan Scott and Mepham formed a new half-back partnership, whilst Rolfe continued as captain.

In a gale-force wind and heavy underfoot conditions, Barry played the perfect game in the first half. With the elements behind him, Scott kicked expertly to give his side the territory to threaten the Llandaff line early on.

The visiting defence held firm for the first Barry foray, but fell foul of the official’s whistle soon after – something that would repeat itself for the full 80 minutes – and Scott kicked the home side ahead with two well-struck penalties.

Creating some superb momentum going forward, with a combination of raw forward power and finesse from the backs, Barry's efforts were, initially, in vain due to some ill-discipline, with Kyle Case the main culprit. Just when the whitewash seemed out of reach, a series of forward drives saw the green-and-whites edge close to the line, and James Hollister burrowed over. Scott was unable to add the extras from the corner.

With the wind in their sails, both literally and metaphorically speaking, Barry went for the jugular. The line-out was functioning superbly, with Oaten and Case outstanding, while the ball-carrying power of Cordle and Williams was exploited to the full, allowing Ethan Dix to race over for a converted try.

Sensing the possibility of a bonus point, Barry pressed again. With the forwards giving the perfect platform for the backs to demonstrate their ball-handling skills, a neat exchange in midfield from a set piece saw Danny Ryan dive under the posts. Scott’s conversion was a formality.

Scott kicked another three points to take the game almost out of sight for the visitors, but the management knew that they would be up against the elements after the interval.

Despite the injection of fresh replacements in the shape of Gallivan and Evans, they were unable to stop a well-executed catch-and-drive move which saw Llandaff close on the Barry line before the ball was spread for a corner try.

Sensing a comeback, Llandaff pressed on, but, unlike the Barry juggernaught in the first half, they found chances harder to come by. The defensive effort, co-ordinated by Rolfe and ably assisted by Goodfellow, Oaten and the colossal Lee Jones, denied Llandaff any clearcut chances and, instead, it was Barry who scored next.

From a turnover ball in their own half, the Barry backs strung together a superb flowing move, offloading with consummate ease, which ended with Dix crossing for his second try. Despite a missed conversion, the bonus point was in the bag.

More indiscipline from the visitors saw them reduced to 14 men, and Barry took advantage to score a fifth try via David Williams. The final score was a fair reflection of the domination by the home side, who handled the elements – and the official – better than their counterparts.

The 2nd XV return to action next weekend with a home league match against Clwb Rygbi Caerdydd.

Barry: Ryan; Dix, Cordle, Williams, Hamonda; Scott, Mepham; Lundy, Vidal, Hollister; Case, Oaten; Goodfellow, Jones and Rolfe (capt). Replacements: Evans, Thomas, Gallivan and Lee. Man-of-the-match: Jones.