OLD RIVALS Pentyrch faced a Barry side with ten changes from the previous week for this Division 4 South East League encounter.
There were seven new players and three positional changes, along with the rare luxury of a full bench.
As the new Barry unit took time to gel Pentyrch took advantage with a converted try under the posts after 15 minutes of play.
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Constant periods of pressure from the home forwards failed to see any of the close range efforts rewarded against an organised defence.
Replacement Dwaine Ibbertson was called into action on the right wing after half an hour when Kyle Fahiya had to go off with hamstring trouble. Rhys Hardy moved from the wing to fullback and Dave Provis slotted into centre.
Within minutes of this reshuffle Barry levelled the scores, but ironically not from an attacking position.
Defending a scrum in the Barry 22m area, flanker Hywel Jones pressurised the Pentyrch scrum half as his pack retreated.
The resultant hasty flip-up pass was gratefully latched on to by centre Dafydd Evans who outsprinted the chasing defenders to the posts.
The scores remained level until 15 minutes into the second half when a clearance attempt was charged down by Pentyrch for 7 points.
As the game developed, tactical frustrations and the failure to score from close range unfortunately created dissent among some players and ill discipline that the visitors exploited.
Outside half Tom Lee was successful with a penalty and for the final quarter of the match John Dimond took over the scrum half berth.
Just one try in the closing moments would grab the elusive victory, but Barry were denied after grounding the ball over the try line. Pentyrch players belatedly got hands under it and the poorly positioned referee disallowed the score.
The final move of the game in midfield saw an unfortunate rush of blood and a second charge down created a similar score. Game over.
Despite superiority at set plays, in particular the scrums, dominating territory, and possession, it was the inability to create any real scoring opportunities that cost Barry the match.
Some slices of good luck would admittedly come in handy.
Issues such as low numbers training need to be tackled by the players themselves, so that the situation can be addressed by the club to avoid crises as the season develops.
Team: D Provis, Adam Lee, K Fahiya, D Evans, R Hardy, T Lee, J Davies, J Haskell, A Prosser, J Hollister, M Tanner (Capt), J Campbell, H Jones, J Evans, A Morgan. Subs Nathan Wride, Luke McNaughton, D Ibbertson, J Dimond.
Because of no Cup involvement this Saturday and the Wales v S Africa game the following week, the next 1st XV fixture is not until Saturday, December 1, away at Abercwmboi.
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