Barry travelled to Maesteg Celtic Ladies in their first Division 1 fixture on a glorious afternoon. In recent times the balance of power in this fixture has inexplicably moved to Maesteg and the Bombettes were looking to regain the advantage.

The game started with the home side pressuring the new kitted Bombettes. However, with forward dominance in the scrum and solid defending Barry withstood the pressure. The home side were restricted to a single penalty to lead 0-3 from the dangerous Maesteg No 10.

The Barry pack initially were in control in the scrums, but then for an unknown reason Maesteg started getting the upper hand. This gave their speedy backs more and more ball to play with. The Barry tackling solid at first causing Maesteg knock on’s was now under more pressure.

Hannah Levrill playing her first game at No 10 for Barry tried to get her backs going. However, it was the Maesteg backs that scored the first try. Unfortunately it came from a Barry mistake and missed tackles down the Barry left hand side. 0-8. Two further moves down the left by the speedy Maesteg backs effectively killed the game with the score 0-20.

Barry started to put together forwards and backs play and camped in the Maesteg 22.

They were held up on the line with the forwards sucking in the home defence. However, at this standard we cannot afford to waste 2 blatant overlaps on the right hand side. Half time came 0-20.

The second half started with Barry on the front foot realising they had to get the first score. The scrums were going either way and Barry utilised their bench to try and regain the advantage. Phillips came on for Horne and Helmore replaced Coleman. Following good driving play on the left Richards powered her way over. Jones (C) narrowly missed the conversion (and pint).

Jones, Cahill, Perry and Richards carried the ball well with Jones and Shanhan ripping the ball off Maesteg. WOM Cahill ‘sat’ down 1 player in one of numerous carries. O’ Neill countered well under the high bombs that were fired in her direction. Debutant Ellie Reeve put in a solid shift in the boiler house 2nd row and welcome to Barry.

Barry welcomed back 2 of their influential forwards (from maternity duties) with Cole going to centre and Williams switching to wing with Britton coming off. ‘Goldilocks’ Williams came on in the latter stages and demonstrated her frustration/desire by ‘sitting ‘down a home player in her first carry. She then gave extra go forward ball for Barry. In between the subs, a dog leg defence in the Barry mid field allowed Maesteg an easy score which was converted 27-5.

Barry to their credit came back with all guns blazing and scored a deserved 2nd try by Shanhan after good work by Yapp, Bannister et al down the left. 27-10. This would have been a fair score but with players tiring a speedy Maesteg player punished weak tackling to score a flattering 5th try. Final score 34-10.

Team: O’Neil, Britton, G. Williams, K. Jones (C), Levrill, Bannister, Shanahan, Yapp, Young, Perry, Coleman, Reeve, Cahill, Horne, Richards, Super subs: Phillips, Cole, Helmore, S. Williams.

Barry WOM Cahill and Maesteg chose Levrill.

The Management would like to thank the travelling support. Although we were defeated there were many positives to come from the game. If we can eliminate our errors we will come back stronger and return to winning ways. Training is the key and all players are urged to attend as many as possible.

The Bombettes next match is home on Sunday, September 21 to Croesyceiliog, KO 2.30pm. Come and support your Local Team.

AM