Fixture

On the first league match of the season Barry 3rds travelled the short distance to Sully Sports to get the 2015/16 season under way.

With a strong side the Barry players took the field on a clear and sunny afternoon full of confidence and keen to play an open and attacking style of rugby.  A strong pack led by Captain Nick Rolfe at number 8.  The Barry pack took charge of the early confrontations both in the scrum and the loose winning ball and looking to strike early.  With more than their fair share of the ball supplied by strong work from Gavyn Elsworth, Chris Deyes and Leighton Jones Barry looked to supply the Half backs Jamie Leech and Chris Bailey with the opportunity to release the backs.  With the majority of the play in the Sully half of the pitch Barry were unlucky not to cross the line and gain the early score they needed to open their account.  It was Sully that took their opportunity well during a short spell of pressure.  Moving into the Barry half of the field, they broke down the right and found a gap in the Barry defence to score the unconverted opening try.  Shortly after from another concerted drive from the pack ably supported by the backs Sully gave a penalty opportunity which directly under the posts Barry spurned the opportunity to score their first points of the season.  A Sully penalty followed to take the score to 8 nil.  Further pressure from a determined Barry pack offered another kickable opportunity which was successfully converted by Chris Baily to make a half time score of 8 – 3,  A respectable score giving Barry the confidence to take the game to Sully in the second half.

A change at half time brought Gareth Cummings on to replace Owain Evans who had taken his debut for Barry in his stride.  The second half brought more of the same for Barry taking command of the Lineout with secure ball from the ever faithful Andy Moffat taking secure ball.  Several lineout drives ensured that Barry made progress to release the backs, where secure handling looked to break the defence of Sully.

With two further trys from Sully one converted and no reply from Barry a final score of 20 – 3 was a respectable and promising result for the Barry boys.  The coach frank Greig and player/manager Andy Moffat would like to thank the players for their commitment and effort in this first game of the season.  Congratulations to Jon Nation, Gareth Cummings and Owain Evans on their debuts for Barry they will no doubt show their talents in the season to come.  Leighton Jones stepped up in the after match celebration to outpace the Sully pair in the drinking of the Man of the Match pint, a rather disgusting concoction provided by the Sully Boys admirable kept down by Leighton.  The 3rds play host to Seaview RFC this Saturday at Reservoir Fields 2.30 kick off, come along and support the boys who will be looking to get a win at home!

Team:  Elliot Evans; Ian Davies, Gareth Rees, Liam Kirsch, Jon Nation; Chris Bailey, Jamie Leech; Tony Heard, Leighton Jones, Gavyn Elsworth; Chris Deyes, Andy Moffat; Tom Cleland, Morgan Fogg, Nick Rolfe ©

Subs:  Gareth Cummings, Owain Evans