By Ken Watkins
BARRY RFC’s spirited second half fightback paid off on Saturday, four tries and a slender margin of defeat earning two bonus points to kick off the Plate campaign.
Head coach Liam Scott reflected on what might have been, feeling that Barry had been in the ascendancy late in the second half, and “if the game had been five minutes longer” he would have been celebrating a victory.
“We’ll probably kick ourselves that with a bit more accuracy, a bit more ball, we could have won the game.
Joel Beavis races in for Barry's second try. Picture: Dave Shields/www.devilgas.com
"But we got two bonus points, four tries and within seven points (of Dinas Powys), which is a massive boost,” he said.
The team weathered a difficult first half, after opting to play against a strong wind, with some dogged defence restricting the visitors to just two tries.
“With the elements against us it was tough,” said Scott.
Tom Perry sets up Barry's third touchdown. Picture: Dave Shields/www.devilgas.com
“To a man we dug in deep, and 10-0 at half-time we were more than happy at that point.
"For the second half we told the guys to stick to the game plan, and opportunities would arise.”
And they did, four excellent tries earning a bonus point, as Barry enjoyed more possession and territory after the break.
Kyle Barros on his way to Barry's final try. Picture: Dave Shields/www.devilgas.com
But Dinas Powys were a constant threat, missed tackles twice letting them in to keep the pressure on their hosts.
Dinas Powys took a third minute lead, Morgan Louch going over in the corner. Tom Jenkins added a second in the 38th minute as the pack drove over the line. Louch took advantage of a missed tackle for his second after 52 minutes.
Three minutes later Dan Ryan went over for Barry to end a passing move which opened the visiting defence. Kyle Barros converted.
Dinas Powys lifted the pressure with two tries in two minutes, Jenkins finishing off a driving scrum, Ben White converting. Adam Williams then raced clear, shrugging off some despairing tackles, White converting.
Barry closed the gap once again, Joel Beavis cutting through the defence, Barros adding the extras.
But Williams then outpaced the defence once more to give Dinas Powys a 20-point lead.
Barry responded with a driving maul finished off by Ashton Allen, Barros converting.
Barros rounded things off by ending a swift passing move under the posts, converting his own try, a score securing both bonus points.
Barry travel to Taffs Well on Saturday for their next Plate match.
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