Barry 3rd XV 12 - Taffs Well 2nd XV 41

Tries: Clarke, Miller

Cons: McCann

BARRY 3rd XV resumed their league campaign with the visit of Taffs Well, who are unbeaten in the season so far.

Manager Frank Greig picked a side which included the vast experience of former Barry captain Graham Mathews, back for his first game for over two years, whilst there was also a first start of the season for Joe McCann and Josh Westall.

Their more experienced visitors set the pace of the opening period, with their half backs dictating play. Barry struggled to gain any meaningful possession as their line-out malfunctioned and their defence stretched by the organisation of the opposing pack.

It was no surprise when Taffs Well opened the scoring when the home side ran out of defenders with an unconverted score.

Barry were unable to use their heavy strike runners effectively, but were slowly gaining some parity in the tight with Elsworth, Westall and Miller to the fore. However, it was the visitors who took their opportunities to increase their lead.

Barry were further hampered with the loss of winger Liam Kirsch, who suffered multiple fracture of his clavicle. The team obviously wish him a speedy recovery.

Taffs Well were to score again before the interval but it was the home side who finally had their say on the scoreboard, when a determined Jordan Clarke powered through to touch down in the corner. McCann failed to add the extras.

The green-and-whites put much more pressure on the visiting side in the second half, despite the disadvantage of the slope. The half backs finally found their strike runners, with Dave Evans, Clarke and again Miller leading the line.

The visitors were made to work hard to score two well deserved tries, but once again Barry had the last word. Following intense pressure near the visitors’ line, Curtis Miller got the reward he was looking for, bursting through to score in the corner.

McCann was successful with the conversion from out wide to bring an end to the days proceedings.

Barry 3rd XV return to action next weekend at home to Fairwater 2nd XV.

Team: Evans; Clarke, Mathews, Russell, Kirsch; McCann, Bailey; Hall, Leighton Jones, Fortt; Elsworth, Westall; Lee Jones, Miller and Rolfe (C)

Replacements: Turnbull, Case, Rees and Nation

Man-of-the-match: Miller