CEFN COED 26
BARRY 1ST XV 11
AFTER a weekend break because of no cup involvement, Barry RFC 1st XV travelled to Cefn Coed (Merthyr) to resume league fixtures.
With the selected replacements having to be drafted in to play once again, it was disappointing that the team had no additional players able or willing to be on the bench.
What was definitely not disappointing though was the total effort of those Barry players on the field.
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There was another new half back combination of Josh Davies, returning from injury at scrum half, and outside half Rhys Hardy.
Centres Kyle Fahiya and Gareth Osbourne combined well as another new partnership with stout defending, and each having a number of line breaking midfield breaks.
Wingers Dave McCann and Rhys Jones had few attacking opportunities but defended resolutely, often sweeping to cover for full back Dave Provis when on his numerous attacking forays.
In the forwards, ever present James Hollister and fellow prop Ashley Brown supported livewire hooker Owain Brown in the front row, holding a steady scrum.
Veteran Lyndon James, again called into action with younger John Campbell in the second row, secured great lineout ball to set up many driving mauls.
Captain and No 8 Martin Tanner led by example being especially dynamic from the back of the scrum and linking well with his scrum half.
'Fighting flanker' Hywel Jones was always in the thick of the heavy stuff, especially with one particular prop.
Special mention to first team debutant flanker Luke McNaughton who performed well above his weight in the dogged forward battle.
After 20 minutes, two excellent Rhys Hardy penalties cancelled out two Cefn efforts.
Some top class line kicking for position helped Barry gain territorial ground. Barry took advantage of being a man up for ten minutes towards the end of the first half with a driving effort over defending forwards by Owain Brown, to give an 11-6 lead going into the interval.
A man down themselves for an extended ten minutes yellow card offence for the opening of the second half, Barry conceded a penalty and unconverted try to trail by 3 points.
The home side knew they had to pull out all the stops to deny Barry a comeback and it was only in the final ten minutes that Coed were able to capitalise through their bigger forwards with 2 close range tries and create a cruel scoreline for the visitors.
A full squad for each game and the same level of effort and commitment will hopefully see that elusive win arrive soon.
This Saturday, Pentyrch visit the Reservoir Field, ko 2.30pm, when that home victory would be welcome.
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