Fixture

Boosted by their first win of the season last weekend, Barry travelled to Dowlais on Saturday hoping to build on that performance.

For the first 40 minutes they looked capable of doing this, but regretfully they were unable to sustain the effort and paid the price with an inept display in the second half.

Barry had the better of the early exchanges and varying tactics gave encouragement to the travelling supporters as they pressurised the home defence but not able to breach it.

Following a penalty miss from Barry,Dowlais gave fair warning of their attacking ability as they gained some 50 metres with a fluid move by their backs.

With 17 mins gone Barry were awarded a penalty after a series of forward drives had seen them held up short of the line allowing Barros to give Barry a deserved lead.

At this stage the home side had only reached Barry territory on one occasion and were kept in their own half as the visitors quick defence was disrupting their efforts.

However this defence was at fault minutes later when after stealing the ball at a ruck Barry didn't clear their lines allowing a counter attack from Dowlais which produced a try with the help of more than one missed tackle. With the conversion this gave Dowlais a 7-3 lead and a confidence boost after having spent of the game in their own half.

The pattern of the game changed as half time drew near with the home side now eager to attack, but it was Barry who scored last as Barros converted another penalty to bring the scores within one point as the whistle went.

Despite all of their territorial advantage of the half Barry had not been able to breach a well organised home defence and this was to prove costly over the next 40 mins.

Only two minutes into the half,Dowlais attacked from deep and scythed through the Barry defence to open up a 14-6 lead.

The stronger home forwards were beginning to exert pressure at the set piece and forcing Barry to play on the retreat and it was inevitable that they would concede despite some heroic defending. The try came as Barry were driven back at the scrum and took Dowlais into a clear lead.

Further disruption with injuries forced Barry to regroup but at times they were still able to launch their own attacks, but lacked the cutting edge to cause the home side much concern.

As the half wore on with Barry struggling to get any decent possession their game was not being helped with poor clearances not finding touch allowing the now confident home threequarters the chance to attack from deep which they readily did to put more pressure on a depleted Barry pack following a yellow card.

Dowlais drove Barry at the scrum to score another try and conversion and lead 28-6.

However credit to Barry they stuck to the task and did manage to get some territory and began to put some moves together.They were finding it hard to break down the home defence which had been solid all afternoon and when  a pass went astray the loose ball was picked up letting Dowlais in for a try from their own half and extend their lead to 35-6

During the last minutes with Barry constantly attacking and Dowlais conceding penalties it was hoped that a consolation try might come, but following a breakdown in the home 22 when on the attack the lost ball found the Dowlais who ran 70mts to score the final points of the game.

Another hard lesson for this young Barry team and plenty to think about for the coaches.

Next Saturday Barry entertain Pontyclun in a league fixture, kick off 2.30pm  

 

Team:  Kyle Barros; Danny Ryan, Tom Perry (c), Brad White, Ashley Adams; Einan Scott, Tom Lee; Alyn Evans, Sion Vidal, James Hollister; Craig Llewellyn, Jamie Oaten; John Miles, Owain Poole, Jake Goodfellow

Subs:  Ben Such, Liam Ring, Remy Frenay, Rhidian Mepham, Tiernan Scott