Sport – Barry compete well against strong Abercynon side

Admiral National League Division One East Central - Abercynon 40 Barry RFC 15

Glamorgan Star news 02/12/2024

2 minutes read

TWO quality tries, just before and just after the interval, raised hopes that Barry might get something from a demanding encounter in difficult conditions at a wet and muddy Y Parc on Saturday.

Abercynon scored three tries in each half, although the sixth, resulting from an infringement that wasn’t spotted, made the margin of victory greater than the hosts really merited.

And that came at a time when Barry, already destined for defeat, but having scored a third excellent try, were producing a late burst in search of a bonus point. Had they succeeded, it would have been deserved.

Head coach Mike Morgan regularly stresses the importance of bonus points, especially in a losing situation. “You need to ignore the score on the board. It’s league points we need. It was 33-15 with about 10 minutes to go, and a fourth try would have made it 33-22, and given us a bonus point.

“We pushed really hard, and I give the boys credit, they really stuck in. That last play of the game was just unfortunate.”

Overall, it was a much improved performance against a team, now third in the table, which thrashed the Bombers 48-0 last season. The forwards, who gradually gained equality and more against a tough eight, were involved in Barry’s tries.

“We didn’t really capitalise on the platform provided by the forwards, although we got into a potential scoring position five times,” said Morgan, “and three came off. To do that away, and against a good side like Abercynon is no mean feat.”

Barry were 19-0 adrift before Josh Edwards went over in the corner in the last minute of the first half, the ball fed out from the scrum and then through hands. Dafydd Jones got the second, from a catch and drive, four minutes after the interval.

Abercynon added two more tries before Victor Corrihons ended a spell of pressure by bursting away to go over in the corner, giving Barry another glimmer of hope that something could be salvaged, a hope that only died at the death.

Barry have no match on Saturday as scheduled opponents Llanishen are in Division One Cup action. The Bombers’ last fixture before Christmas is the league derby at Penarth on December 14.

Ken Watkins

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