Barry Sport

Barry lose out by a point at Bridgend

8:20am Thursday 26th January 2012

BRIDGEND SPORTS RFC 7 BARRY RFC 6

WITHOUT several of their regular players, Barry travelled to Bridgend last Saturday on a blustery afternoon.

It was clear from the start that the home side had dangerous runners in the threequarter line, and they were given full reign by some woefully poor tackling from the Barry backs.

With Bridgend attacking at every opportunity, it was against the run of play when the visitors went ahead through a Ryan penalty.

Barry settled to their task and began to dominate the lineouts through aggressive work by the trio of King, Degaura and McTavish. Mainly due to this dominance they were able to stretch their lead with another Ryan penalty on the half hour mark.

The home side earned the referee’s wrath with several high tackles and by questioning his decisions. This allowed Barry to set up some useful field positions, but the ensuing penalties were just out of range of the goal kicker. Perhaps kicking into the corner may have been a useful variation in play?

The half time whistle, however, saw Barry maintaining their useful 6-point advantage.

Bridgend Sports started the second session with more determination than they had shown in the first. Their forwards set a lively pace with the visiting defence being given a torrid time, but the visiting defenders appeared to be up to the task.

However, they made much harder work for themselves by trying to run the ball from deep in their own half. The conundrum was not only employing this tactic: if the ball is to be run out of defence, then why not pass it quickly to the wings who should have space and pace to gain ground?

With 10 minutes or so of normal time left it still appeared that Barry would steal a win. However, an ill-directed clearance kick did not find touch and Barry paid the price.

An experienced Bridgend centre latched on to the loose ball, flicking it inside to send his full back flying 50 metres down the touchline to score a try half way out. The same player made no mistake with the conversion to give the home side a single point advantage.

To their great credit the Barry side refused to accept this reverse without a fight and put in a grand stand to try to grab the elusive points. Disappointingly, there was insufficient time left for them to do so.

Barry: Ryan, Adams, Busitil, A.Evans, Provis, Hardy, Gallivan, Bowditch, O’Sullivan, Hollister, McTavish, Degaura, King, Parker, H.Jones (C).

Subs Hoskins, L.Jones, Chukas, A.Evans.

Barry play in the next round of the SWALEC Bowl this Saturday when they travel to Blackweir, Cardiff, to face St Josephs with kick-off at 2.30pm.

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