BARRY RFC’s hopes of maintaining pressure on the teams above them in National League 2 East Central were put on hold after they suffered a surprise 14-12 home defeat at the hands of St Peter’s at the Reservoir Field last Saturday.

Having to make major changes for a variety of reasons, the hosts never seemed able to get a stranglehold on the game and lacked consistency.

This is not to detract from the efforts of the replacement players however, all of who tried their hearts out.

I was just a lacklustre performance but also a game where they had chances to win.

Being at the top end of the table always makes you a target, and the Rocks opened the game in lively fashion looking determined to spoil the party.

Their early efforts were rewarded as they attacked from a long Barry clearance to move the ball wide where their wing chipped ahead to regain the ball for a try which went unconverted.

Barry were struggling to get any meaningful ball as the visitors enjoyed virtually unlimited possession from set piece and some wayward Barry kicking.

It cannot be denied that the Rocks spent the game living very close to the edge, a tactic which when not always seen by the referee, was obviously unsettling the home team.

However, their indiscretion paved the way for Barry to get into the game when Kyle Barross slotted over a fine 50m penalty to reduce the deficit.

A further penalty at the restart saw Barry into the Rocks’ half from where they set the backs free, ending with Dave Provis being halted just short of the line.

The hosts became more aggressive as the half wore on and it was the Cardiff side’s turn to look unsettled.

But Barry failed to turn pressure into points despite Harry Moyle nearly getting over the line and Barross being just wide with a penalty.

They finally took the lead through another penalty from Barross.

Unfortunately this lead was short-lived as they failed to gather the restart to concede a penalty which again put the Rocks into the lead as half-time approached.

The hosts had by now lost James Hadfield to injury, which didn’t help matters, and they trailed 8-6 at the interval.

The second half opened with Barry being awarded a kickable penalty which they were unable to convert, but they kept up the pressure without really creating any worthwhile chances, although they had gained the upper hand in the scrum.

This advantage saw the Rocks concede a penalty which Barross put over and Barry took the lead 9-8.

The sides matched each other as time went on, although Barry were forced to defend as the Rocks attacked their line with a concerted forward effort which they did well stem.

But in doing so, they conceded a penalty and this see-saw game went back in favour of the Rocks.

Some poor kicking allowed the visitors back into the Barry half where an isolated player was penalised which saw St Peter’s go further ahead with another penalty to make it 14-9 but there was still time for Barry to come back.

This looked on the cards as they got themselves into a good position and threatened as the Rocks defended stubbornly.

But Barry’s only reward was further penalty by Barross.

They were unable to get the score to win the game to leave both players and spectators frustrated for the second game running as both have been lost by a single score.

On Saturday, Barry face promotion-chasing Gilfach Goch at home, kick off 2.30pm.

In addition to this game, the club are also hosting a 2nd XV Tournament, hopefully including ten sides, which is planned to begin at 1pm.

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