Winning weekend for Barry RFC 1sts and 2nds (From Barry And District News)

Winning weekend for Barry RFC 1sts and 2nds

7:50am Thursday 8th October 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share

COWBRIDGE RFC 3 BARRY RFC 26

BARRY found that the combination of strong wind, rain and a heavy home pack limited their ability to build any momentum into their game at Cowbridge on Saturday.

However, tries in the 8th and 40th minutes by Ryan and Brown, each converted from the touchline by Captain Cummings, fairly reflected the share of possession.

The Barry line-out and loose play fared better than the set scrums, where their tight forwards came under pressure to secure ball.

The second period started with a defensive error by the visiting side which enabled Cowbridge to close the gap with a penalty. There followed a period of pressure by the home team, which was resisted by very good tackling around the rucks.

After 15 minutes of the second half, the score moved on to 19-3 with a long range unconverted try by Hardy.

There then followed a long period when the game meandered along, punctuated only by poorly executed and failed tackles.

But on the stroke of full time, a converted try by Taylor secured the final score of 26-3 to Barry – and a vital bonus point.

There were lessons for the Barry coaches and players in this match – firstly, handling a heavyweight pack in the tight; secondly, forming a strategy to move the ball out of defence – particularly in poor conditions; and lastly, preventing individual 'flying up' tacklers allowing a counter attack.

Barry welcome Dinas Powys this Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm.

BARRY 2ND XV 20 STAR 10

STAR were the visitors at Reservoir Field after Barry 2nd XV's game with Fairwater was cancelled, and they were greeted with the cold reality of the Welsh autumnal weather.

Starting against the slope and wind in the first half, Barry once again began sluggishly. After various stoppages interrupted the flow of the game, STAR cut the home defence open to score in the right corner, with the conversion being missed.

Struggling to overcome the elements, Barry were unable to get out of their own 22 with the away side applying all the pressure. It eventually told as they crossed for another try, but missing out on the extras once more.

At 10-0 many sides would have folded but Barry continued to tackle bravel and fronted up to a formidable opposing pack. Scrum-half Joel Williams was a commanding figure when in possession, and smart exchanges from their midfield forced a STAR infringement, with Adam Lee stroking the resulting penalty over to narrow the deficit to 3-10.

With the scrums now being uncontested after Jason Thomas' injury, the home side decided to unleash the backs in the second half. Taking advantage of the elements, Barry played the entire half in the STAR 22, making purposeful ventures again and again towards the white line.

Good hands from Grantley Harris and David Williams saw the ball spread out wide to the right, where the away defence seemed to have snuffed out the danger. Ashley Adams, however, was not about to give up and managed to recycle the ball, and it eventually reached former Maltese international John Dimond who powered through to score his second try in as many games. Lee failed to add the extras.

The momentum has now swung towards the home side and it was not long before they went in front. Solid play from the pack allowed excellent ball retention, and eventually the ball reached Harris, who touched down in the corner to give Barry the lead for the first time.

Lee was again unable to add the 2 points, but with STAR now chasing the game against the elements, it was the home side which looked more likely to extend their lead.

A missed opportunity on the right wing with Dimond and substitute Ken Chow unable to score ultimately proved to be the platform for the ball to swing left once more, and this time Lee on the other wing made no mistake in diving through for 5 points. He converted the try himself and with the score at 20-10, the final whistle was blown, giving Barry 2nd XV their second win in a row.

Team: A Lee; R Williams, D Williams, G Harris, A Adams; J Williams, J Dimond; J Thomas, C Earls, A Hargodan; G Elsworth, J Haskell; L Jones, B Hitchcock, K Case (c). Subs: K Chow, L Bounds, A Houldey, C Manley.

• Print
• Email
• Share