St Peters 2nd XV 25 - Barry 2nd XV 8

Tries: Peake

Pens: Williams

BARRY 2nd XV travelled more in hope than expectation to St Peters on Saturday.

It was a minor miracle that coach Rhidian Scott and manager Ken Chow were able to field a side at all following a lengthy injury list and players unavailable for a variety of reasons.

With that in mind, Tom Adams was given a first start at centre, whilst Dave Evans was handed the number 10 shirt despite playing in the front row last weekend.

Despite the disruptions, Barry started brightly and utilised their strengths to keep St Peters at bay. The home side wanted to play a quick, expansive game, but that was denied by the industrious Barry forwards who showcased their power.

The strength and determination of the front row, led superbly by Rhys O’Sullivan, created a penalty opportunity which captain Joel Williams duly took to put his side in the lead.

Shell-shocked, the home side finally strung together some passes to put Barry under serious pressure. After full back Leech managed to comically clear his lines by kicking the ball over his own head to hand St Peters the initiative, the Rocks did equalise when they finally converted a penalty kick.

The inexperienced and hastily assembled Barry side, however, still had the momentum, and after denying the home side with some obdurate defending, a superb break from Williams set his side up with the territory gain, and when the ball was recycled Frank Peake was on hand to crash over the St Peters defender to give his side an 8 - 3 lead. Williams failed to add the extras.

The second half began in similar fashion with Barry aggressively attacking the breakdown to disrupt any home momentum. However, the game was turned on its head when Barry were reduced to 13 men by the official controversially. With a two-men deficit, St Peters camped on the away line and finally found a way past to take the lead with a converted try.

It was the hosts who now have the sails behind their backs, as they denied Barry any ball or territory. It was no surprise when they increased their lead with an unconverted try.

At 15 - 8 and 10 minutes to go there was still hope for the green-and-whites, but this was extinguished when the referee failed to spot a clear case of crossing and the hosts touched down in the corner.

There was still time for St Peters to round off their afternoon with their fourth try, and the scorecard of 25 - 8 in the end was harsh to the young Barry side who battled hard for much of the game, showing some superb spirit and fight along the way.

Barry 2nd XV travel to Old Penarthians next weekend for the first round of the East District Cup.

Team: Leech; Gill, Peake, Adams, E Evans; D Evans, Williams (C); O’Sullivan, Brown, Fortt; Deyes, Brooke; McTavish, C Thomas, Miller

Replacements: Turnbull, J Thomas, Chucas

Sub not used: Chow

Man-of-the-match: J Williams