Barry Sport

It's 12 games, 12 wins for Barry RFC!

7:50am Thursday 11th March 2010

BARRY RFC 40 OLD PENARTHIANS 7

BARRY welcomed their near neighbours to a cold and breezy Reservoir Field last Saturday.

Playing downhill into a biting east wind, the home side began where they left off last week - by attacking their opponents through the forwards. Particularly strenuous efforts were being put in to establish a firm platform at the set pieces.

This week, however, the disciplined approach was put to greater effect by moving the ball out wide when attacking positions had been developed.

The backs, Walsh and Hardy prominently, revelled in the quick ball delivered and made the most of regular possession.

Old Pens were having difficulty coping with such pressure across the park and within 10 minutes, Barry deservedly took the lead through a short-range try by George, easily converted by Cummings.

Barry spread the ball wide and an excellent pass by Gill put P O’Sullivan over near the posts for another converted try.

The home side, intent on positive rugby, concentrated on imposing their game plan whilst not being too concerned by that of the opposition.

Further success came after 20 minutes with an excellent move started behind their own 22 metre line. The Barry forwards and backs combined to put Provis under the sticks, making the conversion a formality.

Barry had established ascendancy in the set scrums; from the fifth heel against the head, the bonus try was scored by the ever-alert George.

A blot on the Barry copybook occurred towards the end of the first half. An Old Penarthian feed was won but the clearing kick was charged down.

This unnecessary error put the interval score at 28-7 to Barry.

For the third quarter Barry toiled to maintain the momentum of the first half and errors in handling and missed tackles began to creep in.

Perhaps it was a result of lapsed concentration, an opposition which had upped its game, a referee who saw fit not to allow a rout – or a combination of all three.

In any event Barry continued to interest the scorers when Hollister crossed for a short-range unconverted try after 15 minutes.

Barry steadied the ship with some excellent kicking in both attack and defence. They appeared to have scored the try of the afternoon when Ryan touched down after excellent approach work by Glyn Jones, Gill and Busutil.

However, the referee decided to delay the award whilst he dealt with ‘handbags’ near the half way line.

He gave no penalty for these hostilities, but then called for a scrummage on Old Pens’ 22 metre line and gave the put-in to the home side.

Barry continued to create good pressure in line-out and maul, but curiously lost their supremacy at the tight scrums. However, they did finish proceedings on a high note when a move of six passes involving forwards and backs created a fine converted try for Ryan.

As well as a good attacking performance, the efficient and focused defending continues to impress, with an average of less than 8 points conceded per game.

Next match is away to Cilfynydd in two weeks’ time, on Saturday, March 20.

The players’ annual presentation will this year be a Dinner Dance at the Memorial Hall on Saturday, June 12. To reserve a table (minimum 10 seats) contact Andy Jamieson (01446 411737) ASAP to avoid disappointment. Tickets £30 per head.

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