Fixture

Barry 2^nd XV  12-26  Llanishen 2^nd XV

Tries:  Dimond, Bounds

Cons:  McCann

Barry 2^nd XV were hoping to carry the momentum gained by their first win of the season into the league visit of Llanishen.

Coach Rhidian Scott and Ken Chow were once again handed a long list of players being unavailable and so were forced to juggle their resources once more.  The starting line-up showed no less than 9 changes from the side that beat Old Penarthians handsomely last time out.

Playing with the elements and slope in the favour, Barry moved to take the advantage in the first interval, and despite a rusty start, which was expected from the number of changes, slowly began to dominate in the tight.

The scrum, in particular, was impressive, but neither sides were helped by the official who seemed intent of blowing his whistle at regular intervals with decisions that baffled spectators, coaches and players.

It was Barry who came out on top with these exchanges, and after Tom Adams was denied a try on the touchline by a dangerously high tackle which somehow did not result in a penalty try, Barry recycled the ball and made their territory tell when John Dimond crashed over from close range.  Joe McCann was unable to add the extras.

Llanishen showed that they were dangerous with ball in hand, but was made to pay just minutes later when overelaboration saw Luke Bounds intercept from half way, and he raced clear to score his second try in as many games.  McCann stroked over the conversion to hand his side 12-0 lead.

However, from then on, the momentum swung.  After the home side had valiantly held out on their line and McCann cleared the apparent danger, some non-existent tackling allowed Llanishen to saunter through to score a converted try with not a hand laid on the attacker.

With Cieran Thomas being forced off with a broken thumb, more disruption was brought to the home side and the visitors took full advantage of the confused defensive line to score before the break and take the lead.

With Seb Vidal withdrawn at half time following possible concussion, and players now playing out of position, a comeback seemed unlikely. 

Barry did put on some early pressure in the second half, but as a rolling maul neared the Llanishen line, the official somehow stopped play to award the hosts a penalty despite Barry looking to gain the advantage by scoring a try.

The penalty came to nothing and some smart, incisive play, combined with some poor tackling, saw Llanishen increase their lead with an unconverted try.

Barry seemed to run out of ideas and would not be able to force an unlikely comeback, and instead it was the visitors which crowned their victory with a fourth try.

Barry 2^nd XV will visit St Josephs next weekend.

Team:  Hamonda; F Peake, G Peake, Bounds, Adams; McCann, Dimond; Hall, Evans, Brown; McTavish (c), Deyes; Jones, Thomas, Vidal

Replacements:  Turnbull, Hewitson, Leech

Sub not used:  Fortt

Man-of-the-match:  Deyes

Referee:  M Aherne