SPORT – Barry blitzed in first half by speedy Rhydyfelin:
Admiral National League Division One East Central
Barry RFC 14 Rhydyfelin 27:
Barry spent the best part of an hour of this match being prised apart by a speedy Rhydyfelin, who took advantage of a catalogue of missed tackles, defensive errors and problems with the scrum and lineout to run up a 27-0 lead.
Barry responded with two excellent tries in the last quarter of the match, but it was too little, too late, and no consolation as the visitors withstood the late pressure to ensure the Bombers suffered their biggest defeat of the season. Rhydyfelin were playing only their second match since October, and just their sixth of the season.
“They came down all fired up. We matched the intensity in the first few minutes, but then completely dropped off and allowed them to dominate possession,” said head coach Liam Scott.
“Individual defensive errors absolutely killed us. Far too many missed tackles in the first 15-20 minutes. But the biggest concern for me was the lineout. I would hazard a guess we won two out of our 10 until we went into the last 20, when we did win a lineout and scored.”
The visitors went ahead after 11 minutes, play continuing after an infringement wasn’t spotted and Jordan Rees exploiting a gap. Missed tackles saw Kyle Perry extend the lead after 20 minutes, the move starting in the Rhydyfelin half. Garyn Lucas went over from a catch and drive in the 38th minute. Ross Lucas chased and caught his chip in the 44th minute, Lloyd Riley converting, and an interception ended with Josh Hawkings touching down in the 53rd minute.
Barry finally responded after 59 minutes, Brad White scoring in the corner after the Bombers had moved the ball across the width of the field, Kyle Barros converting. Aled Rees picked up to dart over from a ruck in the 71st minute, Barros again converting.
“The late tries gave us a bit of hope, but unfortunately, for 59 minutes we were second best,” said Scott. “We finished the better side. But in Division One that’s not good enough. You’ve got to be able to do that for the larger part of the game, not 20 per cent of the game.”
• Barry are next in action on Saturday, 18th February at Cambrian Welfare.
Report by Ken Watkins
Photo by Judith Dutton
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