Llandaff 2ndXV 10-39 Barry 2nd XV

Tries: Poole, Lee (3), O’Sullivan (2)

Cons: Lee (2), O’Sullivan

Pens: Lee

BARRY 2nd XV was hoping to put their disappointment of the last fortnight behind as they travelled to Llandaff in autumnal conditions.

Coach Rhidian Scott and manager Ken Chow were able to recall Tom Lee for his first start for the 2nd XV at scrum-half. He was partnered by Rich O’Sullivan at half back, whilst Dominic Busuttil also returned to form a midfield partnership with Dave Williams. John Dimond was moved into the back row following the withdrawal of captain Lee Jones.

Barry attacked from the off, attempting to utilise the pace of their backs out wide. After several early opportunities were spurned, Tom Poole finally made the pressure told as he ran over after being set up brilliantly by full-back Rhidian Mepham. Lee was unable to add the extras.

If the visitors thought this was going to be the way of things to come, they were wrong. Llandaff increased the tempo of the game; leaving the Barry forwards disorganised and the home side reduced the deficit with a penalty.

Worse was to come for the green-and-whites, as the home side dominated the contact area to turn possession over, before spreading the ball out wide to round off the move with a converted try.

With the game in the balance, coach Scott was forced to make ruthless changes at half time, and it seemed to have paid off almost immediately when Barry were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. Lee reduced the deficit to two points.

With the away side now on the front foot, and the forwards back in the game in open play, the half-back partnership of Lee and O’Sullivan began to dictate matters, and it was no surprise when the stretched Llandaff defence was unable to stop the scrum-half touching down for his first try of the game. It was not to be his last. Lee failed with the conversion attempt.

The Barry scrum turned the screw, especially after the introduction of James Sullivan, and this gave the opportunity for the backs to shine, and it was O’Sullivan who crossed next with a strong run following forward drives from Corne, Dimond and Barclay. Lee missed the conversion.

Following more territorial domination, and some good work from the midfield of Busuttil and Williams, Lee jinked over to score his second of the match.

With the Barry line-out following the return of Kyle Case inch-perfect, it was only a matter of time before Lee completed his hattrick, crashing over in the corner. O’Sullivan added the extras.

Lee’s half-back partner O’Sullivan was not to be outdone and it was him who had the final word. Barry turned over a Llandaff scrum with apparent ease and with the try-line at his mercy, the fly-half powered through for his second try. Lee added the conversion from out wide to leave the final score 39-10 to Barry.

The management was delighted at the level of performance and commitment, especially in the second half, by the team to turn their fortunes around. More of the same would be expected as the 2nd XV continue their league campaign at home to Llanishen next weekend, whilst 3rd XV host Llandaff.

Team: Mepham; Knapman, Busuttil (C), Williams, Poole; O’Sullivan, Lee; Corne, Turnbull, Heard; Flynn, Barclay; Dimond, Case, J Evans

Replacements: Sullivan, Westall, Rolfe, D Evans

Man-of-the-match: O’Sullivan