Barry 2nd XV 22-14 Clwb Rygbi 2nd XV

Tries: D Evans, Mepham, Dutton

Cons: O’Sullivan (2)

Pens: O’Sullivan

BARRY 2nd XV finally got the 2015 under way as they hosted Clwb Rygbi in damp conditions at Reservoir Fields.

Coach Rhidian Scott and manager Ken Chow were once again put to the test with late withdrawals, seeing Chris Parker return to rugby after 18 months out, whilst Gareth Hall and Jordan Clarke were promoted from the successful 3rd XV last weekend.

The visitors coped better with the conditions early on, as they were assisted by the wind and slope and put the Barry tight five under enormous pressure, especially at scrum time.

The home line-out fared no better either, and this gave Clwb Rygbi the opportunity to lay siege to the Barry line, and the pressure duly told after 15 minutes when they crashed over for a well-worked try.

Barry huffed and puffed but could not give their backs quality ball from which they could work with, and instead were dominated by their visitors’ forwards who appeared to be fitter.

It seemed as if this was going to be a fruitless afternoon for the green-and-whites.

However, on a five minute period the game turned on its head. First, from inside their own 22, Richie O’Sullivan ran when he could have kicked, created the space necessary for the centres Busuttil and Dicks to work with, and Dave Evans was on hand to finish well in the corner. O’Sullivan was unable to add the extras but Barry were back in the game.

In the blink of an eye the game had taken a turn, and Barry poured forward in search of their second try.

It duly came, again it was great interplay with the backs, and this time Evans turned provider for the supporting Rhidian Mepham to score near the posts. O’Sullivan added the extras.

Back came Clwb Rygbi however, and following some naïve defending and indiscretion in the contact area, Barry were punished with a try near their posts with the conversion a formality.

At half time the game was nicely poised, and coach Scott emphasised the need to secure home ball in the contact area. His point was duly noted, and when Parker was sent on as reinforcement early in the second half, Barry took a stranglehold in the game.

With the set pieces resembling parity, fly-half O’Sullivan put his side ahead with a well-struck penalty 10 minutes into the second half.

Now looking increasingly threatening, Barry pressurised the CRCC back-line into errors that gave the home side territory and possession, an advantage that they would not relent.

After camping deep in the away 22 patiently, Mepham finally found Lloyd Dutton who crashed through to score. O’Sullivan added the extras to put his side two scores ahead.

There were to be no comeback for the visitors as they were denied even a losing bonus point for their efforts despite laying siege to the Barry line late on. The resolute defending was a reflection of the grit and determination shown by the home side to secure a win in the first time of asking in 2015.

The 2nd XV will travel to Glamorgan Wanderers next weekend, while 3rd XV visit Dinas Powys.

Team: Adams; D Evans, Busuttil, Dicks, Knapman; O’Sullivan, Mepham; Thomas, Turnbull, Pirso; Dutton, Oaten; Morris, Jones (C) and Rolfe

Replacements: Hall, J Evans, Parker and Clarke

Man-of-the-match: Mepham