Clwb Rygbi 2nd XV 32-24 Barry 2nd XV

Tries: Pugh, Dix (2)

Cons: McCann (3)

Pens: McCann

A THREADBARE Barry second XV travelled to Clwb Rygbi more in hope than expectation in their first away fixture.

With 18 first team players injured and unavailable, coach Rhidian Scott and manager Ken Chow were forced to make 11 changes to the starting XV last weekend, bringing in Avaient, Bailey, Ring, Barclay and Harris from the third XV, while Dix, Hewitson, Pugh, Turnbull and Rolfe made their first appearances this season. Manager Ken Chow was forced to fill a spot on the replacements bench.

The match started in a predictable manner as Clwb Rygbi laid siege to the Barry line. The away side had precious little preparation time with a scratch side, and in the early proceedings were no match to the well-drilled CRCC.

After the home side had opened the scoring with a well struck penalty, they turned the screw in the tight, forcing the Barry forwards to retreat which enabled them to score two unconverted tries in the corner.

Barry lacked the experience to unlock a disciplined defence and was falling foul of the referee’s whistle, which was frustrating for both sides. The away side finally forced the issue by releasing the centre partnership and their destructive running drew a penalty opportunity, in which Joe McCann gladly accepted with his boot to reduce the deficit to 13-3.

With the scrums a mess and line-outs a lottery, Barry were to concede again just before half time when Clwb Rygbi took advantage of their scrummaging power once more for another unconverted score.

Scott sent on James Sullivan to tidy up the set pieces and this proved to be a masterstroke, as after the interval Barry had the upper hand in this area. This gave a platform for Pugh and McCann to release the backs and wing Michael Avaient looked to have grounded the ball beyond the line for his first try of the season, but only to have the official wrongly rule it out.

Barry pressure finally told, however, as following several good forward pick-and-drives, scrum-half Gerwyn Pugh dived over under the posts to score. McCann added the conversion.

It was now the home side’s turn to feel the pressure, as a combination of devastating running by Dix and Hewitson in midfield, combined with a clear dominance in the scrum, saw Barry camped deep in their opposition’s twenty-two.

By drawing in the CRCC defenders, McCann was able to send the ball out wide to Dix, who dived over to score a superb team try. McCann added the extras from out wide and the deficit was only now one point.

The home side came back with a try of their own after capitalising on a turnover, and with the conversion brought the gap back to eight points, seemingly making sure of the game.

Barry rallied, despite a collective fatigue and lack of experience, and were gifted a try when confusion in the Clwb Rygbi defence saw Dix diving on the loose ball to score his second. McCann stroked over the extras.

With only four minutes left it seemed the game was still in the balance and that the away side would at least be rewarded with a losing bonus point, but alas it was not to be as the home side had the last say, scoring the last try in an exciting game to leave the final score 32-24.

The management would like to commend the effort and attitude shown by the players on the pitch on the day, and would hope to have some of the more experienced senior players back in the fold next weekend.

Barry Second XV host Glamorgan Wanderers next weekend, whilst the third XV are at home to Dinas Powys.

Team: D Evans; Avaient, Dix, Hewitson, Bailey; McCann, Pugh; Heard, Turnbull, Ring; Barclay, Harris; Rolfe ©, Dutton, J Evans

Replacements: Sullivan, van Birgelen

Sub not used: Chow

Man-of-the-match: McCann