Slow start puts Barry on the back foot
SPORT | Rugby
Admiral National League. Division One East Central
Barry RFC 7 – Rhydyfelin 26
Barry RFC cannot break the habit of conceding early tries. Rhydyfelin were the latest opponents to benefit, a score in the third minute setting them on the way to a fairly comfortable victory, sending the hosts to their sixth straight league defeat.
The Bombers had a difficult first half-hour, as Rhydyfelin used the strong wind at the Reservoir Field, pinning the hosts in their own 22 and running in three tries during that time, which effectively put the game out of reach.
Ross Lucas, who appeared to be in front of the kicker when he chased a kick ahead and touched down under the posts, gave Rhydyfelin the lead. David Gratton converted.
Barry conceded penalties as Rhydyfelin kept the pressure on, running in two tries in a five-minute spell. Scott Pritchard scored in the corner following a lineout after 24 minutes, and Liam Williams raced through a gap in the 29th. Gratton converted both, and effectively the game was gone.
“We were second best in every aspect of the game,” said head coach Liam Scott. “We gave them far too much respect, and they thrived on it. We allowed ourselves to be bullied. Give the opposition 20 minutes to do what they want and you are chasing the game.”
Late in the first half, and again in the opening 20 minutes of the second, Barry applied some pressure, pinning the visitors in their own 22. But penalties and errors, plus some determined defence, kept them at bay.
And when Rhydyfelin broke out in the 63rd minute, Barry were penalised close to their own line, Sam Studley going over from close range after a brief spell of pressure. Gratton was off target, but at 26-0 there was no way back.
Barry applied pressure again, and it paid off in the 73rd minute when Danny Ryan jinked away from a couple of defenders to score, Einan Scott converting.
“It’s hard to pick anything from today’s performance,” said Liam Scott. “We’ve asked the guys to bounce into next week. The only way we can respond is to put in an effort next week.”
Barry end their league season with a tough fixture at unbeaten Mountain Ash on Easter Saturday.
Ken Watkins
Photos taken by Judith Pycroft Dutton
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