BARRY 3rd XV 12-42 Sully Sports 2nd XV

Pens: Forrester (3), Evans

Managerless Barry 3rd XV went into their first league game, a local derby against Sully Sports, in more hope than expectation.

The side’s preparations appeared doomed from the beginning, as many of their key players were promoted to the other two senior teams after a string of withdrawals.

After two more players failed to appear at kick off, caretaker manager Ken Chow was forced to juggle his resources, handing debuts to Michael van Birgelen, Nathan Harris and James Clements, whilst also recalling Jon Morris for his first game for the club in five years, and moving himself to the unfamiliar position of full back.

As expected the visitors dominated proceedings with the heavier and more experienced pack. Barry defended doggedly though, and despite camped in their line for long periods of the game managed to keep the Sully attack abay for the first quarter.

The pressure, however, finally told when the visitors scrum turned the screw to set up a close range converted try and took a deserved lead.

Chow and Captain Lloyd Jones rallied the troops and after soaking up more Sully pressure, Barry came forward with some intent, with Dave Evans, Liam Ring, Jon Morris and Kyle Barclay in the forefront carrying the ball, forcing them to concede a series of penalties.

Ashley Forrester’s boot was as accurate as ever, and he slotted over three penalties in succession just before half-time to send the home side into the lead at the interval.

With fresh substitutes to bring on and a large away following, Sully Sports re-gathered the momentum after the break to score another converted try after prolonged pressure. Barry will, however, strike back soon after with a close range penalty from centre Dave Evans to bring the score to 12-14.

With the game still in the balance, Barry suddenly found themselves down to fourteen men, as both Josh Westall and Lloyd Jones limped off with injuries – James Sullivan was the only replacement available.

Sully Sports utilised their numerical advantage as they increased their lead with another try. Chow, now taken over the captain’s armband as well as scrum-half duties, tried to stem the tide by bringing Harris into the pack but his attempts proved futile.

The visitors will finish the game by exploiting the exhaustion and lack of experience of the fourteen men to earn a bonus point. Despite the defeat, the Barry players could leave the pitch with their heads held high as they fought right to the end, even when the result was academic.

Barry 3rd XV will hope to have most of their key players back in order to field a full squad for their next league encounter at home to Taffs Well on September 27.

Team: Chow; Rees, Evans, van Birgelen, Harris; Bailey, Forrester; Hall, Ring, Clements; Westall, Thomas; Morris, Jones ©, Barclay

Replacements: Sullivan

Man-of-the-match: Morris