Barry Sport
Barry RFC through to last 16 of Swalec Bowl
8:40am Thursday 2nd February 2012
ST JOSEPHS RFC 3 BARRY RFC 15
ANOTHER round of the Swalec Bowl competition saw Barry travel to Blackweir last weekend. This game was to decide which team would take a place in the last 16 of the competition.
An interesting feature was that the referee, who was being assessed by a WRU official, was 'miked up' to that assessor – technology comes to the lower echelons of the game!
Under a wintry sun and on a progressively cold afternoon, both sides started tentatively. The initial skirmishes featured a Barry side preoccupied with switching the ball inside at every opportunity, but a dogged St Josephs’ defence coped with such tactics comfortably.
The home side were unlucky when, after 5 minutes play, a well-struck penalty rebounded from the woodwork into the welcoming arms of a Barry defender.
Whether it was the prevailing weather or the underfoot conditions, both teams were having the utmost difficulty maintaining any continuity of play.
The visitors were finding possession difficult to come by and rarely managed any time in the St Josephs’ half during the period. On a rare foray, they did gain the lead with an easy penalty by Lee from 20 metres. The home team were able to level the scores courtesy of poor defending by the Barry back division. This penalty brought the conclusion to a very disjointed and hardly entertaining first half.
The second period commenced with St Josephs visibly tiring and making elementary mistakes, with kicks regularly flying direct into touch. Not only did this give Barry possession, but also the knowledge that their opponents were struggling.
The visiting pack did not need any prompting as they took charge of proceedings. During this period there were valuable contributions from Evans and Jones in the forwards and Provis and Lee behind. With 10 minutes elapsed, Lee put the visitors ahead with a penalty from 20 metres.
Further pressure from a resurgent pack set up an opportunity for Lee to stretch the lead with another penalty. Barry’s forward domination, based on a front row of Hunt, Evans and Hollister, was now creating lots of problems for St Josephs. After some further pressure play, Lee slotted over a fine penalty from 40 metres. Whilst he needed the assistance of a bounce from an upright, it was just reward for good aggressive play.
At this stage the home team made a belated response and put the Barry tacklers under strain for a considerable period. To the credit of this unit they were up to the task; not least a makeshift No.8 in Provis who was pressed into forward service following another avoidable yellow card!
A further long-range penalty by Lee completed the score line for Barry. Five successful penalties in such treacherous underfoot conditions was a commendable effort.
Barry: Ryan, Adams, Busitil, Provis, Evans, Hardy, Lee, Hunt, Evans, Hollister, McTavish, Deguara, Parker, O’Sullivan, Jones (C). Subs Gallivan, Chukas, Bowditch, King.
Barry’s next fixture is at home against Abercwmboi on Saturday, February 11, with kick-off at 2.30pm.