Sport

Barry Youth cut loose with running rugby display

Glamorgan Star news 26/09/2022

2 minutes read

Joseff Jones takes on the Old Penarthians defence. Photo: Judith Dutton.

Barry Youth cut loose with running rugby display:

Cardiff WRU Regional Youth Cup South Group A:

Barry RFC 54 Old Penarthians 3.

BARRY YOUTH needed just six minutes of the second half to wrap up this game, running in the last three of their 10 tries.

With the gap between the sides exceeding 50 points, the referee had to call a halt.

It was, like the 59-0 defeat of Dinas Powys two weeks earlier, another excellent display of running rugby. A couple of early conversions apart, Barry did not bother with shots at the posts, taking the tap and go route from penalties, and declining to add the extras to their tries.

They took the lead in the first minute, Finn O’Donovan scoring the first of his five tries. Ollie Moir replied with a penalty for Old Penarthians three minutes later, but after that it was largely one-way traffic.

**Finn O’Donovan made the most of his opportunities with five tries.** *Photo: Judith Dutton.*

With their swarming defence, and surging through, or spinning off, tackles, Barry kept the opposition almost permanently on the back foot as they ran in another six tries to lead 39-3 at the interval.

But another one-sided game raises the question of how good these matches are for the development of Barry’s players. However, head coach John Dimond sees positives.

“Some clubs are struggling with sustainability for their players and the number of players they can field,” he said. “Group games are giving us the opportunity to try things we might not be able to try in more intense matches. If we go through to the knockout stage we will be tested a lot more.”

Barry have no problem with player numbers. Several players have returned to the club now Barry are running a youth team again, and a number of new players have also been recruited. Dimond is now looking at starting a 17 age-group side to give younger players more game time.

Barry top Group A with 10 points, and visit Penarth, who are on six points, in the final match on Saturday. “I hope it goes the same way as it’s been going so far,” said Dimond. “At the moment we are in a good place, achieving what we want to achieve.”