Harsh rugby lesson for Barry Bombettes (From Barry And District News)

Harsh rugby lesson for Barry Bombettes

7:40am Thursday 18th October 2012 in Sport

THE Barry ladies' rugby team (Bombettes) travelled to Penallta with a realistic belief that they could atone for the league home defeat by the Miner Birds earlier in the season.

The first 10 minutes confirmed this belief as they took the game to Penallta, with intelligent line kicking from No 10 Rees and resolute defence. This was typified by No 3 Richards making a last-ditch tackle near the Barry line and knocking the ball forward. However, on 12 minutes, the Bombettes quickly realised the cost of missed tackles as, after such an event, the home side scored their first try.

This spurred Barry on to their best period of the game as they drove at the home side. After several home infringements, Barry found themselves encamped in the Penallta 22. From a tap penalty in front of the posts, skipper Boffy surged forward only to be held up just short.

The next phases, where Barry were held up over the line three times, surely contributed to the home side's confidence. From the sidelines, one of the drives certainly looked to have ended with the ball grounded but the unsighted referee couldn’t give the score.

This was an opportunity lost and, from a surging run from the their No 8, the home side scored again. This seemed to knock the confidence out of the Bombettes who started to miss first up tackles, and three quick scores by the Penallta backs sent them in to a 27-0 half-time lead.

Special mention goes to debutant Sarah ‘Bambi’ Evans and ‘petite’ Morgan in the powerhouse second row, who bravely battled to hold their own scrum ball. This resulted in No 8 Cole having to stay down in the scrum just to secure possession. Changes were made, with Phillips resuming her hooking duties and thus allowing Cahill to move back into the second row, with Morgan taking a rest.

The second half started with the coach's advice ringing in the Bombettes' ears but a quick Penallta try and conversion effectively killed off any thoughts of a miraculous comeback. Penallta scored converted tries again, almost at will, out wide. However, Barry, to their credit, kept going and scored a deserved consolation try.

The Barry forwards drove and set up a good attacking position, and, from quick ball from No 9 Bannister, No 12 K Jones powered over.

The try brought the biggest cheer of the afternoon from the coaches and travelling support. Kath Jones and Britton came on, with the latter putting in a couple of crunching tackles.

Following another Penallta converted try, the referee curiously ended the game early. This game was a harsh lesson for the Bombettes who will undoubtedly bounce back and will need to think about first up tackling, game plans and the killer instinct shown by Penallta. They will learn and get back to basic and effective Bombettes rugby.

Barry Bombettes: Cahill, Horne, Richards, Evans, Morgan, Garner-Joel, Boffy (capt), Cole, Bannister, Rees, Brown, K Jones, Yapp, Haysham, Hill, Phillips, Britton and Kath Jones. Bombettes woman of the match: Bannister; Penallta chose Kim Jones.

Many thanks to the travelling support who are promised a different performance against Maesteg Celtic at home this Sunday, October 21; kick-off 2.30pm.