Dogged effort after a 'mongrel' start

12:51pm Thursday 8th February 2007

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BARRY 1ST XV 27 COWBRIDGE 3 AFTER the previous week's abject away display at Abercwmboi, the Barry coaching team anticipated there would be more of a pedigree performance for supporters to view.

In Barry's changed emergency kit, it was hoped that visitors Cowbridge would suffer from the blues.

The home side soon had the red faces, though, as Cowbridge took the lead, with a successful long-range penalty kick after only three minutes of play.

It took a further 20 minutes of generally disjointed, disappointing play, before Barry managed to get on the scoreboard. The return to action of outside-half Andy Griffiths saw him cut through the defence and between the posts from 10 metres out, after one of the few concerted, sustained forward drives seen from Barry during the half set up the opportunity. Centre Chris Cummings converted. No further scores in the half saw Barry lead by an unconvincing 7-3.

During the break, coach Andrew Prosser laid bare a few home truths about a "mongrel" performance and the concern that unless some dogged improvements were made, there was the scary possibility of a shock first win of the season for the visitors.

A good start to the second half was crucial, and it came after seven minutes with a corner try to Cummings, after a typical break by James Hadfield created the opportunity.

The introduction to play of subs John Haskell, Andy Morgan and Dave Provis (a welcome return back from injury) failed to improve the score, until a successful penalty by Cummings on the half hour mark extended the lead.

Two tries in the last five minutes by the Campbell brothers gave a more convincing looking final score.

An excellent charge-down by flanker Andy Morgan saw John capitalise on the loose ball over the try line to score.

Captain Matthew moments later took a quick short-range tap penalty to force himself over the line for his try close to the posts for Cummings to convert.

The next 1st XV fixture will be on Saturday, away at Cefn Coed.