Fixture

Tries:         Knapman, Goodfellow

Cons:        J Williams

Pens:         J Williams

Barry 2^nd XV were relieved of league responsibilities for the weekend as they entertained Caerau Ely in the Mallet Cup.

Facing off a first team in the cup competition was always going to be difficult, but the task facing coach Rhidian Scott and manager Ken Chow became even harder with four players dropping out within an hour of the game.  This sort of behaviour surely cannot continue.

With the disruptions to their preparations, it was not a surprise that Barry started sluggishly and it was the visitors who pile on the pressure early on.  Despite the hosts having the upper hand in scrummaging, Caerau utilised the handling skills of their backs to carve opportunities near the Barry line, which was eventually rewarded with a converted try.

Barry finally awoke from their slumber and the hastily assembled XV began to weave menacing patterns of attack.  Opting to keep the ball in hand to negate the gale-force winds, there were good breaks from Lloyd Dutton, Poole and Liam Ring.

The pressure finally told when Barry recycled the ball quickly on the blind side, a sniping run from scrum-half Rhidian Mepham released Rhys Knapman, who powered through his opposite number to score in the corner.  Joel Williams was unable to add the extras.

Rattled, Caerau began to kick loosely instead of utilising their backs, especially after Garth Peake had put in a huge hit on his opposite centre, and Barry began to look the more likely as the interval approached.

Another try duly arrived, as Knapman this time turned provider, offloading expertly for Jake Goodfellow to touch down in the corner.  Williams converted superbly from out wide to give his side a 5 point advantage at half time.

The second half was a cagey affair with both sides sensing that the next score can tip the contest.  Barry had insufficient possession in the first 20 minutes and relied once again on their obdurate defence, with Goodfellow, Poole and substitute Dave Evans particularly outstanding.

Caerau briefly reduced the deficit to two points following a penalty in front of the posts, but back came the home side, and after Williams failed with an optimistic kick for goal from the half way line, more Barry pressure forced another penalty in the away twenty-two.

This time Williams made no mistake to restore the five point lead – a lead that Barry will not surrender.

Caerau threw everything but the kitchen sink at the home side in the final stages, including a tactical change to passive scrummaging following James Sullivan’s introduction, but their efforts were in vain as Barry held on for a gutsy victory in horrendous conditions.

The management are thrilled to be working with such a spirited group of players and this victory is the reward for all the hard work in training throughout the season.

Barry 2^nd XV return to action at home to Clwb Rygbi next weekend.

Team:  Russell; Clarke, Peake, D Williams, Knapman; J Williams ©, Mepham; Hall, Turnbull, Ring; Dutton, Deyes; Goodfellow, Poole

Replacements:  Evans, M Williams, Sullivan

Man-of-the-match:  Poole