Fixture

Barry travelled to Pontyclun for a rearranged League fixture last saturday with a side decimated by injury and unavailability but still hopeful of getting the season back on track after last weeks defeat.

As it turned out despite a better performance they were unable to secure the win and went down by 21 points to 17, to at least earn a losing bonus point.

Barry started the game trying to keep the ball in hand but the slippery conditions were causing problems and several promising moves came to nothing.

Early pressure from the home scrum was a problem as Barry struggled to settle down. However they were unlucky when breaks from Evans and Perry were halted just short of the line.

Pontyclun took the lead from a penalty but it was Barry who were doing most of the attacking and looked the more likely to score.

The scores were brought level with a penalty from Barross and they took the lead soon after following a forward 

drive being halted illegally and the referee who throughout remained in control awarding a penalty try which Barross converted to give them a seven point lead.

From the restart Pontyclun took play into the Barry 22 and as Barry transgressed at a lineout they reduced the deficit with further penalty.

Barry were to create one more chance before the break when Perry put White through only for the centre to lose the ball  the opportunity was gone,as and the remaining minutes saw them having to defend as errors began to creep into their game but they survived.

The second half started badly for Barry as they were turned over from the kick off and conceded a penalty,

which although missed saw Pontyclun appear to grow in confidence and lay siege to the Barry line.

A  searing break from the home scrum half was halted by an intentional knock on and a yellow card followed to add to Barry's problems with the same player converting the penalty to close the gap to just one point.

Barry seemed to lose their composure for a while as the home team took control of the game and only some resolute defence saved then from conceding further scores

They held out for a time but the pressure finally told as the heavier home forwards finally drove for the line to cross for a converted try

There was.more of the same to come as Barry put themselves under unnecessary pressure with a series of aimless kicks which did nothing but gift the home side the chance to attack which they eagerly grasped and were soon camped back in the Barry 22 where the referee saw the need for second yellow card for Barry.

From a 5m scrum, the seven Barry forwards were unable to hold the home team who crossed for a further 

unconverted try, with the kick hitting the upright, but Pontyclun were now ahead by 21 points to 10.

From the restart despite having to defend for a long period Barry finally got a foothold in home territory and put immediate pressure on their defence forcing a series of penalties which finally led to a second penalty try and a yellow card.

With only four points in it, Barry kept up the pressure and were immediately back in the home 22 taking on the 

7 man pack to force penalties.Opting for scrums Barry looked odds on to secure what would have been the match winning score only for some loose comment to the referee seeing the penalty award reversed and  the last chance had gone.

 Probably a game Barry had the chance to win but at the moment the team appears to lack a cutting edge

which was there prior to Xmas break

 Next week Barry travel to meet St Peters who lie second in the table for a 2.30pm kick off.

The Lottery numbers for this week were 09 - 22 - 23 and 24 and surprisingly there were no winners. Next week's prize will be £3465.