THE match against local rivals Penarth saw Barry First XV lose 25 points to nine in a lacklustre performance.

Penarth kicked off with the breeze and slope to their advantage. An early scrum saw the home side driven backwards to concede a penalty which gave the visitors the lead and a warning of things to come.

Penarth continued to play a sensible territorial game and forced Barry into positions where the home defence had to be at it's best, which it was, to avoid going further behind.

Barry were struggling to get any meaningful possession and what they had was being kicked away often to their disadvantage. This meant that they were playing on the back foot unable to bring the threequarters into play.

Barry stuck manfully to the task of having to defend but were disrupted by the loss of captain Hadfield after 20 minutes to be replaced by Glynn Jones.

Despite the problems up front and a faltering lineout Barry came into the game and were unlucky on one or two occasions as they chased and harried the visitors into errors.

The game nearly turned on its head following a 22 drop out by Baros which was caught by Adams who roared up the touchline only to be forced into touch just short. This was followed by Scott being halted just short and losing possession enabling the visitors to clear the danger.

As half-time neared Penarth were awarded a dubious penalty and from the ensuing lineout managed to squeeze over in the corner for a converted try to give them a 10 point lead. However Barry were rewarded when Scott kicked a penalty to reduce the deficit on half-time.

Supporters were reasonably cheerful and optimistic that something could be achieved in the second half with the elements in their favour.

Further injury to Gallivan meant a reshuffle in the backs with Busitil coming on and Baros moving to scrum half.

After wasting an early penalty, Barry reduced the deficit as Baros calmly converted from 40 metres.

It was the home sides turn to apply pressure and with a bit more possession were starting to look threatening. A good scrum from the Barry eight forced the visitors into conceding another penalty which was well kicked by Scott this time with now only one point separating the sides.

Minutes later Scott was forced to leave the field to be replaced by Goodfellow.

At a stage when it was hoped Barry might get a result, it was the visitors who resorted to using their powerful forwards, forcing Barry back on defence but unable to breach it.

Regretfully Barry were guilty of some aimless defensive kicking which ultimately only had the effect of increasing the pressure on a hard pressed defence.

Penarth were camped in the Barry 22 as they chose to take scrums instead of kicks at goal and despite losing a player to the bin Barry somehow held out only to concede a penalty

moments later which was successful for a four point lead.

Once again loose kicking and poor ball control saw Barry lose 50 metres after a promising attack broke down.

Barry had little answer to the driving maul and despite heroic defence conceded a try wide out which went unconverted.

As hard as they tried Barry were unable to threaten the visitors line again and a missed pass was intercepted by a grateful Penarth player to cross unopposed for a converted try which took the final score to 25-9 in the visitors favour.

Next Saturday Barry travel to Gwenyfred near Talgarth for the next League fixture with a coach leaving the club at 11.30am.