Fixture

AFTER the trauma of the previous week’s friendly match in Lydney, when the Air Ambulance was called for a serious injury to one of the Barry players Mark Devine, it was back to business for Barry RFC 1st team last Saturday when they travelled the short distance to Dinas Powis RFC to play their first Division 2 East Central league match of the new season.

In weather which was more fitting for ducks rather than rugby, Barry started well by putting early pressure on the home side. After just five minutes or so of play, some sterling forward play by the Barry pack saw the ball being fed quickly through their backs to wing Brad White who ran in from 30 yards out to score the first try of the match. The conversion by full back Kyle Barros was successful and Barry had a seven point lead.

This early score by Barry seemed to activate Dinas Powis and for the next 10 minutes or so they came back strongly and had the better part of the play during this period. This resulted in a lot of pressure being put on the Barry pack and some defensive errors were made which enabled the home side to score their first try of the match after some sterling forward work of their own.

With the conversion failing Barry were 7 - 5 up after just 15 minutes of play.

The heavy persistent rain made it very difficult for both sides to play attractive rugby and for the remainder of the first half the play was shared equally between the two sides. Twenty minutes into the game Barry were awarded a penalty which hit the post and unfortunately fell to the wrong side of the upright.

Minutes later Barry were caught offside in front of their own posts and the Dinas outside half made no mistake with the kick to give them a slender 8 - 7 lead.

Not to be outdone Barry fought back and were awarded a penalty themselves when the Dinas Powis backs were caught offside. Full - back Kyle Barros made no mistake with the kick from wide out and Barry were back in the lead at 10 - 8. From this point onwards up to half-time, the play ebbed and flowed from end to end with both sides being awarded kickable penalties. Both of these were successful which resulted in a half - time score of 13 - 11 in Barry’s favour.

For the second half of the game Dinas Powis had the majority of the play and could well have scored a couple of tries if they had not been kept out by a resolute Barry defence. However, in their eagerness to defend Barry became overzealous which led to unforced errors being made.

This resulted in two further penalties being awarded to Dinas Powis for infringements both of which were successful.

With the score at 17 - 13 to Dinas Powis and time running out Barry had to produce something quickly. With the prospect of at least an unconverted try to win Barry pounded the Dinas Powis line for the last five minutes or so of the match and went close to scoring a number of times.

Unfortunately for them, due to a combination of solid defence from Dinas Powis and some rather strange decisions by the referee it was not to be and the score stayed at 17 - 13 in the home sides favour.

There were three yellow cards shown in the match for minor infringements, one to Dinas Powis and two to Barry, but credit must be given to both sides for their conduct during the game.

Credit must also be given to both sets of supporters for sticking to it in the most horrendous conditions and lack of cover on the common.

The club is pleased to report that Mark Devine has returned home from hospital in Bristol and is well on the road to recovery.

Next week Barry entertain St Peters at home kick off 2.30pm.

Last week’s lottery numbers were 8, 10, 11 and 24 which failed to produce a winner. This week’s jackpot will be £2,520.