Barry RFC win local derby - but are pushed all the way by Dinas (From Barry And District News)

Barry RFC win local derby - but are pushed all the way by Dinas

7:50am Thursday 25th February 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share

DINAS POWYS 3 BARRY RFC 20

BARRY made the short journey to play old rivals Dinas Powys on Saturday, for what was ostensibly an opportunity to collect a league bonus point.

However, if the visitors saw it that way, their opponents started the game clearly motivated to deny them.

The home team tested the Barry defence with fervour and not a little skill, piling into rucks and mauls alike as if their lives depended on it.

The Barry team seemed neither to realise 'what was occurring' nor to have the game management skills to change the course of events.

Against the run of play Barry took the lead with a penalty, but Dinas Powys soon cancelled this out with one of their own. Struggling to impose themselves on the game, Barry made the task more difficult when a yellow card was issued for an unthinking attempt to kill the ball in defence. What price discipline?

The second half opened as the first half, with aimless kicking from Barry, which gifted the opposition possession.

Gradually things started to change, with the reinforced Barry pack taking control.

They moved the pressure point down hill, which resulted in a fine try from their Maltese international – this was impressively converted by captain Cummings from wide out.

After 20 minutes of the second half, the away side extended their lead. The efforts of the pack to impose themselves on a tiring opposition gave credit to their fitness levels.

We now saw a side which, although playing with little conviction or confidence, were not prepared to concede any ground.

A reward for this pressure was a fine unconverted try by George. Another excellent try, following good approach play, was constructed for full-back Hardy but the conversion was missed from an easy position.

At the death, an opportunity for the elusive bonus point was lost when indiscipline caused the referee to reverse a penalty close to the line of the home side.

Despite a worryingly high number of penalties conceded, there were some cameos to savour, with enthusiastic and notable contributions from No.8 Jones, Hollister, Hunt, Probus and Lee.

On the positive side Barry continue to be one of the most consistent sides in their division, being only one of three WRU league teams remaining unbeaten at this stage of the season.

But players and coaching staff should accept that they must perform at a high level to justify the confidence of enthusiastic supporters, whilst parading the skills and commitment which are clearly present in the squad.

Next game is a re-arranged fixture away at Deri next Saturday, ko 2.30pm.

• Print
• Email
• Share