News

Report by Ken Watkins:

Barry’s hopes of getting in some game time before resuming Admiral National League fixtures next Saturday (March 5) were dealt a blow when opponents Felinfoel had to call off their friendly fixture at the Reservoir Field at the weekend because of Covid in their squad.
In the 11 weeks since their pre-Christmas fixture at Rumney on December 18, Barry have played just one match, a 33-0 home Division One East Central defeat at the hands of Porth Quins on January 29. The derby fixture at Dinas Powys on Saturday will be their first game for five weeks.
“We wanted to play today’s game (against Felinfoel) so we could bounce into Saturday,” said head coach Liam Scott. “We’ve tried to replicate match day intensity as much as possible over the last few weeks, but make no mistake, there’s going to be some rustiness because of the lack of game time.”
Pressured CrossFit sessions in the gym on Tuesday nights have been followed by rugby training sessions on Thursdays. “Frustrating as it is, we’ve probably coped as well as we could under the circumstances. Everything I’ve asked of the players over the past few weeks they’ve delivered in abundance.”
Scott is now focused on the next two games, Dinas Powys away, then Cambrian Welfare at home on March 12, before the Bombers face another break in this stop-start season. 
The league game against Rhiwbina, postponed on January 15, originally a home fixture for the Cardiff club, will now be played at Barry’s Reservoir Field on March 26. It doubles up as Mallett Cup fixture.
Success against Rhiwbina would mean another cup match to be fitted in. Barry have two postponed league fixtures yet to be arranged – Rhydyfelin at home and Mountain Ash away. Scott is also considering arranging a couple of friendlies before the season ends.
* Five Barry players – Josh Batte, Craig Earls, Dan Gill, Tomos Lee and Jon Morris – were in the East District Select squad for the Keith Bryan memorial game at Dinas Powys at the weekend, the match a fundraiser for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. Dinas Powys Legends won 29-15.