Bad day for Barry

9:00am Thursday 27th September 2007

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BARRY 1st XV 6 CILFYNYDD 27 WITH Wales World Cup games either side of this fixture, which was therefore "free", it was regrettable that the Barry 1st XV squad for this league encounter was severely depleted for a variety of reasons.

The home touchline support was rather depleted as well unfortunately, with those there seemingly outnumbered by the away followers.

Veteran Rhydian Scott answered the emergency 11th hour call to fill the outside half berth, and after an understandably rusty start he executed some text book touch finders in defence, but was given limited ball at crucial stages of play to be able to dictate the pattern of play.

In a rather ill tempered opening quarter the referee decided to exert his authority at the second free for all fight that erupted.

Winger Rhys Hardy was the Barry victim to suffer a red card when just defending himself against a Cilfynydd player who was also sent off.

The situation then cooled and Cil took first advantage minutes later with a converted try. Barry centre Dafydd Evans was soon successful with a penalty but moments later a long range effort by Cil restored their 7 point advantage.

As half time approached and the deficit seeming manageable with the slope advantage to come second half, a crucial error occurred. A loose long range pass in midfield by Barry created an interception try for the visitors under the posts, easily converted and a 17-3 interval lead. Now a second half uphill struggle lay ahead for Barry.

Right from the restart ten minutes of sustained Barry forward pressure saw Evans kick another penalty, and for a brief moment the home supporters were hopeful that through tactical kicking for the bottom corner Barry could get back into contention.

Optimism was short lived as the players fell into the old routine of trying to impose themselves and gain the hard physical yardage in no-man's land on midfield instead os using Scott or Evans trusted boots to do the work of gaining territory when the ball had been won.

A further penalty and a third converted try right on the final whistle saw Cil comfortable winners at the end, but probably reflecting that it should have been made more difficult for them.

A lack of fresh legs to come on in the second half didn't help. Credit to the Barry front row of Andy Corn, Brad Gee and James Hollister who had to last the game carrying various bumps, knocks, cramp and the like.

A long break now for the 1st XV with the next fixture not until October 13 away at Ferndale. This Saturday, September 29, the Barry Youth team is scheduled to play CHSOB at home. Check with the clubhouse to see if the opportunity is still on to watch this match before the televised Wales v Fiji encounter in the bar at 4pm.

** To put rugby results into context, many will have been saddened to hear that Nick Jones, aged 53, a popular ex-player and club patron, drowned while on holiday in Spain. His funeral was a week last Tuesday. The club's condolences and thoughts go to his family, in particular his three children.