Haverfordwest Ladies 41

Barry Ladies RFC 0

BARRY Ladies RFC travelled the lengthy journey down to Haverfordwest for their latest league fixture.

With a bare 15 players Barry knew it was going to be a long, hard game.

The home side started the brighter and immediately pressurised Barry who were unusually rusty failing to take the kick-off.

After numerous phases the home side crossed for their first try and conversion. It appeared that the writing was on the wall however, with words of encouragement from the side lines, Barry weathered the storm.

Solid defence from Deeks and Williams prevented another quick score.

Barry then grew in confidence breaking out of defence and were awarded a penalty deep in the Haverfordwest half. Unfortunately, following a break down in communication possession from a tapped penalty went straight back to the home side.

Both sets of supporters were witnesses to some shuddering hits from both sides with props Jordan, Heyes and Cahill making several huge tackles.

The home stand off then punished Barry in discipline at the breakdown with some raking touch kicks. From a resulting lineout and good support play Haverfordwest crossed again and converted.

Barry then had a purple patch and took it to their opponents with the forwards Dix, Jordan, Husk and Cahill making surging drives. With a first score on the cards in the home 22, Barry twice knocked-on. Williams then sprinted back to make a try saving tackle deep in the 22.

Haverfordwest's impressive link-up play made it virtually impossible to defend against and they crossed for another try, duly converted by their excellent stand off.

Barry's defence was again put under tremendous pressure only for another try saving tackle to be made by winger Sara Rees Jones. As half-time came the score was 21 - 0 to Haverfordwest.

With the coaches encouragement in their ears Barry made the worst possible start.

They failed to pressurise the catcher and following one offload the Haverfordwest open side flanker waltzed through some weak defence to score under the posts. After all the hard work in the first half it looked as if Barry were looking down and out.

However, they started playing with renewed confidence aided by Deeks' counter attacking and good exit strategy. Barry's tackling was great from Owen, Mahon and Rees (shortest second row who never took a step backwards).

Despite two further quick tries stretching the home sides advantage, Barry never stopped trying to play rugby. In a moment of humour Jordan flattened Williams the Barry number 10 in trying to thwart another attack. A few wry comments were made later.

Further crunching try saving tackles were made by Deeks and the best by Mahon and Jordan to stop certain tries. The latter causing a potential serious injury to a Haverfordwest player and the coaching staff and players wish her a speedy recovery.

It is testament to the defensive qualities that in the last quarter Haverfordwest only succeeded with a long range penalty.

Perry, Fox-Maybe and Deeks started running attacking lines and succeeded in penetrating a tiring Haverfordwest midfield. However, the deserved consolation score did not prevail.

Barry ended the game on the front foot with Dix and Cahill driving the pack and team out of defence.

Final score was 41 - 0.

Team: Deeks, V Williams, Fox-Maybe, Jones, G Williams, Shanahan (C), Jordan, Cahill, Heyes, Rees, Owen , Mahon, Huskie and Dix

The management proudly commented that there were many more positives than negatives from this fixture. Training together is vital and Barry Ladies RFC welcome any new players to training on Thursday evenings at Barry clubhouse regardless of experience.